# Effects of at‐risk drinking on central hemodynamics and aortic stiffness in midlife adults

## TL;DR

This study finds that at-risk drinking is linked to higher central blood pressure in midlife adults, but not to aortic stiffness or wave reflection.

## Contribution

The study identifies central blood pressure as a key effect of at-risk drinking, independent of aortic stiffness or wave reflection mechanisms.

## Key findings

- At-risk drinkers had higher central systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to low-risk drinkers.
- Elevated central blood pressure in at-risk drinkers was independent of aortic wave reflection or aortic stiffness.
- No significant differences in aortic stiffness or wave reflection indices were found between drinking groups.

## Abstract

The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the effect of at‐risk drinking on central hemodynamics and aortic stiffness in midlife adults. A total of 38 midlife men and 41 postmenopausal women, aged 50‐64 and free of major clinical diseases, were included. Based on USAUDIT‐C scores derived from the U.S. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, participants were classified as low‐risk drinkers (n = 50) or at‐risk drinkers (n = 29). Central blood pressure (BP), aortic wave reflection indices, as well as carotid‐to‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV; a measure of aortic stiffness) were measured. Regardless of sex (p = 0.11 for both), among participants free of antihypertensive medications (n = 51), at‐risk drinkers had higher central systolic (p = 0.002) and diastolic BP (p < 0.001) compared with low‐risk drinkers, while there was no between‐group difference in central BP among treated participants (n = 28; p ≥ 0.41). Among untreated participants, higher USAUDIT‐C scores remained independently associated with elevated systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic BP (p = 0.003), after controlling for wave reflection indices and cfPWV. Regardless of antihypertensive medication use (p ≥ 0.25) and sex (p ≥ 0.10), no between‐group differences were observed in aortic wave reflection indices (p ≥ 0.18) and cfPWV (p = 0.16). These findings suggest that elevated central BP associated with at‐risk drinking is related to mechanisms other than enhanced aortic wave reflection or aortic stiffening.