Alcohol & Blood Pressure

Blood pressure levels can be adversely affected by consuming large amounts of alcohol, leading to serious cardiovascular problems like atherosclerosis and stroke.

Excessive Drinking

• Drinking excessive quantities of alcohol can raise blood pressure levels. Furthermore, excessive drinking often leads to weight gain, thereby increasing the risk of developing high blood pressure, also called hypertension.

Moderation

• The risk for hypertension decreases with the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol. Men should stick to two drinks, women to one drink, a day. A glass of beer should be no more than 12 ounces, wine no more than 5 ounces and an 80-proof drink no more than 1.5 ounces.

Individual Reactions

• Each individual reacts to alcohol differently. Some people experience small increases in blood pressure, others dramatic increases. Both men and women tend to have similar blood pressure fluctuations when consuming alcohol.

Medication

• According to MayoClinic.com, the consumption of alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications. Furthermore, alcohol may increase the medication's side effects.

Drinking Less

• Reducing alcohol intake can lower systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure readings by one to four points. Once the amount of alcohol intake is reduced, blood pressure levels tend to decrease.