Does Alcohol Reduce Blood Pressure?

Alcohol, even in moderate amounts, causes increases in blood pressure. As long as you keep your drinking to safe amounts, the rise in blood pressure that is associated with alcohol consumption should not be dangerous. But chronic binge drinking and alcohol abuse can cause a greatly elevated blood pressure, which can be lowered by cutting back to moderate levels. Talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure and want to know about alcohol's effects on your condition.

Safe Drinking

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, average adult males can safely consume two drinks a day, and adult females can consume one without any risk of health problems. This is considered moderate drinking. Drinking more than this on a regular basis may contribute to a decline in your health. Drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting is considered binge drinking regardless of gender, and regularly doing so can further increase the risk of negative health consequences.

Alcohol's Effect on Blood Pressure

• Drinking, be it heavy or moderate, raises blood pressure. According to a study released in 2008 by the University of Bristol, moderate alcohol consumption can increase the blood pressure, but the increase that comes from moderate alcohol consumption should not be dangerous.

Heavy Drinking and Blood Pressure

• According to the Mayo Clinic, heavy drinking can greatly elevate blood pressure. Drinkers who have cut back to moderate amounts of alcohol have experienced a corresponding drop in their blood pressure. Heavy drinking can also contribute to weight gain, which in turn can increase blood pressure. Alcohol is full of empty calories, and the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the extra pounds that drinking puts on.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

• The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend cutting out alcohol altogether. The centers' researchers recommend that patients with high blood pressure should only drink moderately, within their guidelines of safe drinking.

Talk to Your Doctor

• If you are concerned about alcohol's affect on your blood pressure, talk to your doctor. He'll be able to advise you on limiting your intake to keep your blood pressure stable, and suggest other lifestyle changes that you can make to keep your blood pressure down. Alcohol may also have negative interactions with blood pressure medications, so be sure to discuss this with your doctor.