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World J Cardiol. May 26, 2014; 6(5): 245-252
Published online May 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i5.245
Alcohol-induced hypertension: Mechanism and prevention
Kazim Husain, Rais A Ansari, Leon Ferder
Kazim Husain, Leon Ferder, Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ponce, PR 00732, United States
Rais A Ansari, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, United States
Author contributions: Husain K designed, performed the research and wrote the review article; Ansari RA contributed the new tools for writing the review article; Ferder L contributed the guidance and suggestions for writing the review article.
Correspondence to: Kazim Husain, PhD, DABT, Professor, Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, United States. khusain@psm.edu
Telephone: +1-787-8402575 Fax: +1-787-8413736
Received: December 28, 2013
Revised: February 16, 2014
Accepted: April 16, 2014
Published online: May 26, 2014
Processing time: 174 Days and 11.9 Hours
Abstract

Epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies established the association between high alcohol consumption and hypertension. However the mechanism through which alcohol raises blood pressure remains elusive. Several possible mechanisms have been proposed such as an imbalance of the central nervous system, impairment of the baroreceptors, enhanced sympathetic activity, stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased cortisol levels, increased vascular reactivity due to increase in intracellular calcium levels, stimulation of the endothelium to release vasoconstrictors and loss of relaxation due to inflammation and oxidative injury of the endothelium leading to inhibition of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide production. Loss of relaxation due to inflammation and oxidative injury of the endothelium by angiotensin II leading to inhibition of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide production is the major contributors of the alcohol-induced hypertension. For the prevention of alcohol-induced hypertension is to reduce the amount of alcohol intake. Physical conditioning/exercise training is one of the most important strategies to prevent/treat chronic alcohol-induced hypertension on physiological basis. The efficacious pharmacologic treatment includes the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) which have antioxidant activity and calcium channel blockers. The most effective prevention and treatment of alcohol-induced hypertension is physical exercise and the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs in the clinic

Keywords: Alcohol; Hypertension; Mechanisms; Prevention/treatment; Vascular endothelium

Core tip: This is a comprehensive review of the current mechanisms of alcohol-induced hypertension and strategies for prevention and treatment of alcohol-related hypertension. This updated review will be imperative to basic scientist in the area of cardiovascular physiology/pharmacology and clinicians in the academic, industry as well as clinics and hospitals.