The incidence of hypertension and the effects of a regular high-dose alcohol intake on blood pressure in a medium-sized Hungarian town (Csongrád)

Hypertension screening was carried out on 13,772 adults (74% of the eligible population) in conjunction with X-ray screening for tuberculosis in the Hungarian town of Csongrád. In young adults, the blood pressure was found to be higher amongst men, whilst in older subjects the women had higher blood pressures. Systolic hypertension was detected in one-third of the population and diastolic hypertension in one-sixth. Of the hypertensive cases detected, 34% were unaware of their disease. Among others, the effects of alcohol intake on blood pressure were investigated. There were 21.4% of the men and 2.3% of the women who admitted to being regular alcohol consumers. Direct and significant correlations were found between the quantity of alcohol consumed and both the systolic (p