Mounting research has suggested that drinking moderately or heavily increases the risk of high blood pressure. For women, moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day, while heavy drinking is eight or more drinks per week. An October 2023 study in the journal Hypertension suggested that imbibing even one alcoholic beverage per day was linked to higher blood pressure than not drinking at all. Therefore, in health guidance and from the perspective of alcohol and hypertension prevention, we hope that the present results will promote recognition of the role of these behaviors in the onset of hypertension, and thereby be able to help trigger the necessary behavioral changes to prevent it. However, it is true that some participants may have stopped drinking due to a medical condition other than hypertension, but were registered as participants because, at the time, they did not meet the criteria for high blood pressure.
deRijke 1996 published data only
Alcohol increases blood levels of the hormone renin, which causes the blood vessels to constrict. Although none of the participants had high blood pressure when they enrolled in the studies, their blood pressure measurements at the beginning did have an impact on the alcohol findings. For the first time in nearly a decade, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have rolled out new guidelines to help combat high blood pressure—and one of their biggest messages is about alcohol. Metabolism and ClearanceMost alcohol is processed by the liver, where enzymes (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase) break it down into acetaldehyde and then acetate. Exceeding that rate can lead to rising blood alcohol concentrations, which can contribute to short-term physiological changes and potential harm if done repeatedly over time.
Polzein ongoing published data only
In addition, there were synergistic health effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on the onset of hypertension. By reducing alcohol consumption and smoking simultaneously, the risk of hypertension may be considerably lowered. In this way, the onset of hypertension is affected by not just one factor but multiple factors, including both alcohol intake and smoking.
- If you currently have high blood pressure, a doctor may recommend reducing your alcohol intake or avoiding alcohol altogether.
- The synergistic effects of alcohol and tobacco use on hypertension are not yet fully understood.
- Most of the included studies did not report the standard error (SE)/standard deviation (SD) of the mean difference (MD) for the outcomes of interest.
Hartmann 2017 published data only
Another aspect that deserves specific consideration is related to the so called “masked hypertension”, a condition involving those patients who have normal office blood pressure but are hypertensive at home 51. This condition is very common among alcohol dependents 52,53 and carries a cardiovascular risk similar to those of patients with sustained hypertension 54. Possible Blood Pressure SpikeFollowing heavy consumption, individuals might notice an uptick in heart rate and BP. This effect can be more pronounced the morning after, when the body is in withdrawal from alcohol, potentially accompanied by anxiety, sweating, and restlessness. For those with pre-existing hypertension, this compounding effect could be dangerous.
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If you’re concerned about your drinking habits or blood pressure, consult with a Halfway house healthcare professional for personalized advice. Making healthier choices can significantly impact your blood pressure and overall well-being. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Drinking too much alcohol can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, and even shock.
- Other issues for discussion would include the negative impact of alcohol on the effectiveness of antihypertensive medications as well as on patient adherence to recommended lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, weight loss, exercise, and salt restriction).
- According to Chapter 10 of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins 2011), a funnel plot asymmetry test should not be used if all studies are of similar size.
- Alcohol stimulates the release of endothelin 1 and 2 from vascular endothelium in a dose dependent manner81.
- This temporary effect can actually lower your blood pressure for a few hours after drinking.
This stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system leads to the release of catecholamines, causing a transient increase in blood pressure. Over time, the constant constriction results in stiff and less elastic blood vessels, further decreasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients received by cells. Age, BMI, blood pressure, and alcohol consumption were summarized using arithmetic mean and standard deviation (SD). For blood test measurements, we assumed a lognormal distribution and summarized using geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). Number of cases, person–years of observation, and incidence rate for hypertension were summarized and grouped according to age.
I’ll also add that it’s best to lose weight in safe, sustainable ways, especially through a healthy diet and regular exercise,” Muñoz said. It is well-balanced and rich in nutrients, including from fruits, veggies, and whole grains. It’s also low in salt and low in saturated fats, all of which contributes to better cardiovascular health,” said Muñoz.
Last, we attempted to explore the reason for heterogeneity by looking for clinical and methodological differences between trials. Heavy alcohol users who cut back to average drinking can lower their top number in a blood pressure reading by about 5.5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their bottom number by about 4 mm Hg. “The guidelines include important new recommendations for how to treat blood pressure during pregnancy, including an emphasis on the importance of monitoring blood pressure during the post-partum period.
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Smoking and alcohol consumption have been shown to have a synergistic effect on the onset of hypertension. While the relationship between alcohol and hypertension is well-established, this effect is more pronounced in combination with smoking. Finally, we focus on the generalizability of the present study to the general population. Since this study used samples limited to the steel industry, men, and workers, generalizability may be limited. However, from the perspective of the effects of drinking and smoking on the physiological mechanism for the onset of hypertension, some degree of generalizability is possible in theory.
Roth 2018 published data only
The link between alcohol and hypertension is well established, yet the mechanism through which alcohol raises blood pressure remains elusive. For control of hypertension, cessation or at least reduction of alcohol intake is the first step. Pharmacologic treatment should be withheld until after 2 to 4 weeks of abstinence from alcohol. Alcoholism can result in autonomic neuropathy and cardiomyopathy that can lead to a fall in blood pressure. We believe that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers may be the most appropriate pharmacologic treatment.