Alcohol and High Blood Pressure: Effects and More, Explained

will drinking alcohol lower blood pressure

Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. 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. Studies have shown that a good percentage of people who drink alcohol also smoke, which can raise blood pressure as well. A buildup of sodium (called hypernatremia) can cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing vascular resistance—which makes it harder for blood to flow through the circulatory system.

will drinking alcohol lower blood pressure

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL-INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Ramnauth said alcohol can also impair or diminish “baroreceptors in the brain that would sense blood pressure.” These baroreceptors regulate blood pressure by detecting changes and signaling the body to adjust. When they become impaired by alcohol intake, the body might not respond as effectively to changes in blood pressure, leading to persistent high blood pressure. That’s partly why people who drink may find that although they’re consuming the same amount they always have, they feel the effects more quickly or strongly — that’s especially true for older women, according to the National Institute on Aging. A slower metabolism also plays a role, as do medications — prescription, over-the-counter, even herbal remedies — that are common among older people.

Bond 1984 published data only

We classified the remaining 33 studies as having low risk of bias because heart rate was measured and reported. For multi‐arm trials, if a study reported more than one intervention arm, we identified the relevant intervention arm and =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ included that in the review. We followed the same formulae for combining groups if a study reported two different types of alcoholic beverages containing the same amount of alcohol. We assessed selective reporting bias for each of the outcomes separately.

Gepner 2016 published data only

  • If you want to cut down, a great way is to have several drink-free days a week.
  • A person who has hypertension should avoid consuming too much caffeine or soda.
  • Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience.
  • However, researchers noted that a 3-week trial was not long enough to determine the long-term effects of drinking 30 grams of aged white wine per day.
  • Study authors mentioned only that acute ethanol administration caused a transitory increase in BP at 20 minutes.

According to the United Kingdom’s British Heart Foundation, an individual with a heart condition that causes arrhythmias may be more likely to experience one if they drink alcohol. Additionally, people with inherited heart conditions are at particular risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define heavy drinking as how does alcohol affect blood pressure consuming eight or more drinks per week for women or 15 or more drinks per week for men.

Chen 1986 reported that two participants in the alcohol group dropped out of the study for unknown reasons, so data analyses were based on eight participants in the alcohol group and on 10 participants in the control group. Because the reasons behind withdrawal were not mentioned in this study, we considered this study to have high risk of bias. We classified six studies as having low risk of performance bias (Dai 2002; Narkiewicz 2000; Nishiwaki 2017; Potter 1986; Rosito 1999; Van De Borne 1997). In this study, all test drinks were poured into paper cups to achieve blinding of participants. We contacted the author of Rosito 1999 to request additional information regarding the method of blinding used. The study author explained the blinding method in detail in an email, so we classified this study as having low risk of bias.

will drinking alcohol lower blood pressure

How we reviewed this article:

  • This is unfortunate, as we have reason to believe that the effects of alcohol on BP might be greater in women.
  • Around every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.
  • However, alterations in the sympatho-adrenal function that occur during ageing may cause older people to have a different reaction to factors triggering their autonomic system than do younger individuals51.
  • High blood pressure and alcohol use are linked — studies show that unhealthy lifestyle habits, including excessive drinking, are risk factors for developing hypertension.
  • “If you have high blood pressure, it’s probably in your best interest to drink minimally,” Morledge said.

For example, a 2024 study concluded that drinking six to eight cups of plain water daily may help prevent hypertension by regulating blood pressure. Drinking water may also mean that the patients are not drinking sodium-rich liquids, which can increase blood pressure. Similarly, drinking water can help raise blood pressure in individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure). Many factors influence blood pressure, from dietary choices and physical activity levels to how well you manage stress. Most people will need to take medication if they have experienced a heart attack.

will drinking alcohol lower blood pressure

Pitsavos 2004 published data only

This article will explain how heavy drinking can affect the heart and lead to other complications. It will also describe how to help recover from an alcohol-induced heart attack, whether drinking alcohol is safe for people with heart disease, and risk factors. A heart attack is a medical emergency that results from the interruption Substance abuse of blood flow to the heart. Around every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease that develops due to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Ratings of the certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to low in this review, which suggests that the effect estimates of alcohol might be slightly different than the true effects.