In France, about one in three adults suffer from hypertension, which is approximately 17 million people. Several risk factors are identified, such as age, family history, low physical activity, a diet high in salt and low in fruits and vegetables, obesity, and alcohol consumption, as confirmed by a study published by Santé publique France (SPF) on April 30. In order to better measure the impact of alcohol, the public health agency sought to estimate the number of hypertension cases attributable to consumption exceeding recommended limits among 18-74 year olds. Since 2017, guidelines for low-risk consumption (maximum of ten drinks per week, maximum of two drinks per day, and days without consumption during the week) have been defined and regularly communicated.
Approximately 655,000 cases of high blood pressure before the age of 75 “would be linked to alcohol consumption exceeding an average of ten drinks per week in metropolitan France,” with 624,000 men and 31,000 women, according to the study published in a weekly epidemiological bulletin. Due to a lack of recent data on hypertension frequency overseas, the study is limited to mainland France. The significant difference between men and women is primarily attributed to men consuming more alcohol than women, as well as more frequent episodes of binge drinking and heavy drinking. The authors acknowledge some methodological limitations to their study but view it as a conservative estimate of hypertension cases attributable to alcohol consumption based on robust and representative surveys of the French population.
Despite a decrease in consumption, alcohol remains one of the leading risk factors for diseases and deaths in France, with over 40,000 deaths attributed to it. In addition to cardiovascular risks and cirrhosis, alcohol consumption increases the risk of certain cancers. The director general of Santé publique France, Caroline Semaille, emphasizes the importance of preventing alcohol consumption and managing hypertension in response to these findings. While the French have reduced their alcohol consumption over the past thirty years, levels of consumption remain high, both in the general population and in certain subpopulations, such as pregnant women.
The study highlights the need for prevention of alcohol consumption and management of hypertension to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and improve public health in France. Public health efforts should focus on promoting healthy lifestyles, including reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing weight. By addressing these risk factors, it is possible to reduce the prevalence of hypertension and improve overall health outcomes in the population. More research and public health interventions are needed to further understand and address the complex interactions between alcohol consumption and hypertension.
