[Epidemiological observations on alcohol consumption as a risk factor in essential arterial hypertension].

The results of the epidemiological investigations in industrial environment in view of demonstrating some relations between alcohol and salt consumption, tobacco smoking, over weight and prevalence of essential arterial hypertension are presented. The obtained data indicate that in 471 workers in smelting the prevalence of alcohol consumers (1-3 intakes/day of strong alcohol) was of 15% as compared to 28.4% in 559 workers in an unit for building equipment, 4% in the 1188 women, working in ready-made and knitted wear mills and 19.8 and 4.5% in men and women, respectively, working in administrative services. Both the prevalence of daily strong alcohol consumption and of the other considered factors are significantly increasing with age. An increased prevalence of alcohol consumption associated with tobacco smoking, salt consumption and over weight was found in the hypertensive subjects as compared to the controls. The obtained data are useful in elaborating primary prevention programs of essential arterial hypertension.