Will Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure? Understanding the Risks and Effects
If a person has concerns that they or someone they know might have a dependency on alcohol, they should seek professional advice and support as soon as they can. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ However, people who are dependent on alcohol or have been misusing alcohol for a long period of time may have difficulty quitting. Cortisol increases the release of catecholamines, which are chemicals in the body that help regulate many processes and help keep the body functioning as it should. Systolic pressure is the pressure within the arteries of the heart when the heart contracts, and diastolic pressure refers to the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between contractions. The severity of these conditions may depend on both the amount of alcohol you consume and your dosage of lisinopril. However, with thorough guidance from caring clinicians and a commitment to daily positive habits, you can safely manage it in most cases.
Alcohol Poisoning: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments
We graded the overall certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach via GRADEpro GDT software (GRADEpro 2014); we formulated summary of findings (SoF) tables. The Cochrane Hypertension Information Specialist searched the following databases without language, publication year, or publication status restrictions. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and guidance. With that said, there may be other compounds in coffee such as antioxidants, micronutrients and other plant compounds Alcohol Use Disorder that have an anti inflammatory effect and are actually beneficial for blood pressure.
Stream 2014 published data only
Now that you know the facts behind alcohol’s contribution to high blood pressure, your next step may be to seek an alcohol rehab program that can help you through withdrawal and recovery. Sleep helps your body regulate hormones, and high BP can be caused by the fluctuation in hormone levels due to a lack of sleep. Sign up to receive heart health updates and tips for improving your well-being.
Vazquez‐Fresno 2012 published data only
You should talk with a doctor about alcohol consumption, especially if you have other health conditions, such as diabetes. The results suggested that drinking a small amount of alcohol (14 grams g) may not affect blood pressure, drinking a medium amount (14 to 28 g) may even lower it slightly, and drinking a large amount (30 g or more) can raise it. Keep reading to learn how alcohol can affect your blood pressure and cardiovascular health and which other factors may play a role. People in heart failure or people on beta-blockers (used to treat hypertension) should not drink. If you have an abnormal heart rhythm, talk with your healthcare provider before drinking. Although alcohol can make you feel drowsy, it disrupts deep sleep and can lead to fragmented sleep patterns, linked to increased blood pressure and overall heart strain.
The study results offer fresh evidence to support WHO’s endorsement of abstinence when it comes to alcohol, Vinceti says. “When it comes to drinking, less is better, and no consumption is best of all for blood pressure,” Vinceti says. Untreated high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Quitting alcohol or drinking moderately may help keep your numbers where they need to be, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Researchers found this group had a reduced risk of hypertension after drinking 30 grams, about 2 tablespoons, of a specific form of aged white wine every day for 3 weeks. Read on to learn more about alcohol and blood pressure, as well as what drinks may benefit a person who has hypertension and when to talk with a doctor.

If you have high blood pressure, your heart is working harder to pump blood. In the Special Health Report Controlling Your Blood Pressure, find out how to keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully. This may be why binge drinkers are more likely to have high blood pressure than their teetotaling counterparts, a 2018 study in the Journal of American Heart Association suggests. “This can cause weight gain can you drink alcohol with high blood pressure over time, and obesity increases your likelihood of developing high blood pressure,” he says.
We also did not rate the certainty of evidence based on the funding sources of studies or on lack of a registered protocol because we did not think this would affect the effect estimates for these outcomes. However, we noted the lack of description of randomisation and allocation concealment methods in most of the included studies as a reason for downgrading because of the possibility of selection bias. Rosito 1999 reported the effects of 15, 30, and 60 g of alcohol compared to placebo on healthy male volunteers.
Brugger‐Andersen 2009 published data only

Thus, people who drank about 12 grams of alcohol per day or slightly less than one standard drink in the U.S. experienced an increase of 1.25 mmHg in systolic blood pressure over five years. Those drinking about 48 grams of alcohol every day saw an increase of 4.9 mmHg over the same timeframe. Drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure and heart rate and interact with blood pressure medications, rendering them less effective. If you drink alcohol too often, it can also lower your inhibitions and lead you to forget to take your medication. ”We found participants with higher starting blood pressure readings, had a stronger link between alcohol intake and blood pressure changes over time.
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- Health professionals usually recommend drinking in moderation, though recent research indicates even moderate drinking may be risky.
- Many of these factors can be altered with minor lifestyle changes, and it’s important to talk with your doctor about changes to make in order to prevent your high blood pressure from leading to further complications.
This increased pressure can strain the heart and blood vessels, leading to serious health issues such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure typically shows no symptoms until a severe event occurs, making regular blood pressure readings crucial for early detection. Known medically as hypertension, many people don’t even know they have it because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs.
- Having more than three drinks back-to-back can increase your blood pressure temporarily, but if you keep doing it frequently, you may develop a long-term condition called hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Other research from 2019 found that there was a significant link between moderate alcohol consumption and a risk of hypertension.
- Over time, this can lead to damage to the vascular system and increase the strain on your heart.
- Another review published in Naturein 2016 found that consuming berries lowered both systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.
- Some researchers are involved in organizations with ties to the alcohol industry.
- If you are not sure if you can safely drink alcohol while taking a certain medication, read the label carefully and consult with a pharmacist or doctor.
Mukamal 2017 published data only
It’s important to treat high blood pressure, as it can increase the risk of many other conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Completely refraining from consuming alcohol lowers the risk of some of the health risks listed above. Although some of those effects can occur without alcohol consumption, avoiding alcohol helps decrease the risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if a person has hypertension, they may have a higher risk of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. A number of factors can contribute to high blood pressure, including alcohol consumption. “Those who drink heavily are three times as likely to be hypertensive” as those who abstain. If you currently have high blood pressure, a doctor may recommend reducing your alcohol intake or avoiding alcohol altogether.