Alcohol consumption and systolic blood pressure in the general population.

Survey data was analyzed to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the general population. Among older people, SBP is higher for heavier drinkers. Among females, SBP is slightly lower for the light drinkers than for abstainers.. These effects are measured with obesity, race, and menopause, use of birth control pills, smoking, and anxiousness held constant. The reasons for these effects are not clear.