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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Clark H. Denny, PhD¹, Janet B. Croft, PhD¹, Robert D. Brewer, MD, MSPH², Timothy S. Naimi, MD, MPH³, Catherine A. Okoro, MS⁴, Zhi Hong (Amy) Fan, MD, PhD¹, and Kurt J. Greenlund, PhD¹. (1) Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, M/S K47, Atlanta, GA 30341, 7704882499, cfd3@cdc.gov, (2) CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS K-67, Atlanta, GA 30341, (3) Zuni Public Health Service Hospital, P.O. Box 465, Zuni, NM 87327, (4) Division of Adult and Community Health, Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, M/S K66, Atlanta, GA 30341

Background: Almost 30% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (HBP) but approximately only 30% of persons with HBP have it controlled. Excessive alcohol consumption can hinder HBP control.

Objectives: To compare excessive alcohol consumption among persons with HBP by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and HBP medication status.

Methods: We analyzed 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate the prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption among adults ever told by a health professional that they had HBP. Excessive alcohol consumption was defined as either binge drinking (>5 drinks on one occasion), heavy drinking (average of >2 drinks/day for men and >1 drink/day for women), or both during the past 30 days. Multivariate logistic regression assessed correlates of excessive drinking among adults with HBP.

Results: Among 74,896 adults with HBP, the prevalence of excessive drinking was 11.8%. The highest prevalence of excessive drinking was observed among those aged 18-24 years old (36.2%, 95% CI = 29.5-43.4 in men; 23.3%, 95% CI = 17.2-30.7 in women). Among men, Hispanics had the highest prevalence (24.9%, 95% CI = 20.3-30.1). Asians and blacks had a lower prevalence than whites (P<0.05) after adjustment for age and sex. Excessive drinking was higher among those not taking HBP medication than those on medication (21.9% vs.14.1%, P<0.05) after age adjustment.

Conclusions: Excessive alcohol consumption is common among persons with HBP, particularly young adults, Hispanic men, and those not receiving HBP medications. Patients with HBP should be routinely screened for alcohol misuse and counseled to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will be able to state patterns of excessive alcohol consumption by age, sex, and race/ethnic groups among persons with high blood pressure.
• The participant will be familiar with strengths and weaknesses of BRFSS data for studying high blood pressure and alcohol consumption.

Keywords: Hypertension, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No