High Blood Pressure and Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can have both positive and negative effects on blood pressure. It all depends on the amount. Studies show that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels that can have life-threatening consequences. But research also suggests that drinking alcohol in small amounts can stabilize blood pressure and actually protect against heart disease and stroke.

Expert Insight

• The Mayo Clinic reports that even heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate amounts of alcohol can lower their systolic blood pressure, the first number in a blood pressure reading that registers the contraction of the heart when blood is pumped into the arteries. People with high blood pressure should avoid alcohol or keep it to moderation. Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications and increase the possibility of side effects.

Significance

• Moderation is considered two drinks a day for men under 65 and one drink for those over 65. Moderate drinking is usually defined as one drink a day for women of any age. A drink is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquor. Nevertheless, it seems that alcohol consumption is decreasing in many areas of the world because of health concerns. France remains the largest consumer for alcohol, but research shows it is on the decline throughout the country.

Prevention/Solution

• Even if you don't have high blood pressure, alcohol should still be kept to moderation or avoided. The calories in alcohol may contribute to weight gain, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure. In moderation, alcohol is known to increase the appetite, so you might be putting on additional pounds just to satisfy your taste buds. If you must drink, it is a good idea to drink lots of water after consuming alcohol to clean out your system of excess acids.

Considerations

• Studies of high blood pressure and alcohol make it clear that there can be a big difference in the way you drink. Moderate consumption may reduce your risk of developing heart disease and strokes and of dying of a heart attack. It might even lower your risk of developing diabetes. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, heart muscle damage, stroke and sudden death in people with cardiovascular disease. That is in addition to increasing the risks of several cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, miscarriage, fetal alcohol syndrome in unborn children and suicide.

Warning

• For people who are not so healthy or the elderly, special care should be noted when thinking about an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol may cause a narrowing of blood vessels for these people. This can be a cause of higher blood pressure, even when taken in moderation.