Effect of controlled ethanol intake on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and red blood cells deformability.

Although blood pressure is in most cases determined genetically, environmental factors such as obesity or alcohol consumption are implicated in the development of hypertension. On the other hand it is well known that alcohol drinking and hypertension are associated with reduction of red blood cells deformability.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of ethanol on arterial pressure and red cell deformability in well controlled experimental conditions.

METHODS

Five healthy volunteers, men with age range between 26-38 underwent ethanol consumption 1.0 g per kg of body weight during 10 min period. Before and 90 min, 3 h and 5 h after ethanol consumption arterial pressure, heart rate, blood morphology, alcohol and acetaldehyde blood level and deformability index by Rheodyn SSD were measured.

RESULTS

After ethanol consumption rise in ethanol and acetaldehyde blood levels and no changes in blood pressure, but significant increase in heart rate were observed. Elongation index of red blood cells at low shear rates has not been changed. At shear stresses of 12.0, 30.0 and 60 Pa significant increase in elongation index of erythrocytes after 1.5 hour of ethanol intake had occurred.