Researchers looked at data from over 19,500 participants, allowing for vast information collection. The studies included participants from the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Ultimately, the best and worst alcohol for high blood pressure doesnât really exist. All alcoholic drinks can have a negative effect on your blood pressure, especially if you drink in excess.
Increased Risk of Hypertension
- In the case of detection bias, we classified nine studies as having low risk of performance bias (Agewall 2000; Bau 2005; Bau 2011; Cheyne 2004; Dai 2002; Karatzi 2013; Narkiewicz 2000; Rosito 1999; Van De Borne 1997).
- âIn limited amounts, it’s probably OK based on the data that we have,â says cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
- Some scientists suggest a J-shaped curve between alcohol and CVD, but this remains a hypothesis.
- The effect is more pronounced with binge drinking, which places sudden stress on the cardiovascular system and can cause significant fluctuations in blood pressure.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases.
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. In Barden 2013, treatment allocation was performed by a statistician who was not involved in the trial. Opaque sealed randomised envelopes were used in Cheyne 2004 and Foppa 2002, and random number allocator was used in Rosito 1999. It is important to note that information regarding the method of allocation concealment used in Foppa 2002 and Rosito 1999 was provided by the study author via email. We also contacted Hering 2011, but the study author did not explicitly mention in the email the method of allocation concealment used.
Sympathetic nervous system in alcohol-induced hypertension
Studies have shown that a reduction in alcohol intake is effective in lowering the blood pressure both in hypertensives and normotensives and may help to prevent the development of hypertension12,41,95,96. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm of mercury (mm Hg) and their diastolic blood pressure by 1 to 2 mmHg. Heavy drinkers who want to lower blood pressure should slowly reduce how much they drink over one to two weeks. Finally, in studies of people from certain Eastern European countries, investigators have failed to find a cardioprotective effect with any level of ethanol consumption (Britton and McKee 2000). This suggests that alcoholic beverage type may be an important mediator, because in countries such as Russia, spirits are the alcoholic beverage of choice.
McDougle 1995 published data only
- Results suggest that the decrease in BP with very high doses of alcohol is greater compared to lower high doses of alcohol.
- If your use of alcohol is affecting your health, then consider coming to our rehab to learn coping strategies and address underlying issues that may contribute to alcohol misuse.
- Contact us today to meet with our team and create your personalized treatment plan with evidence-based therapies to help you on your road to recovery.
However, even moderate drinking can cause temporary increases in blood pressure readings. Mounting research has suggested that drinking moderately or heavily increases the risk of high blood pressure. For women, moderate drinking is defined as Substance abuse 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. Experts have known for a while that heavy drinking â meaning eight or more drinks per week for women and 15-plus per week for men â raises your risk for high blood pressure (a.k.a. hypertension).
One approach included overexpression of proteins such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which stimulates growth and cell proliferation and has antiapoptotic effects (see Zhang et al. 2014). In contrast to control mice, the IGF-1âexpressing animals exhibited no evidence of changes in expression of antioxidant enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase-1) or any decreases in contractile function after 16 weeks of ethanol consumption. The findings suggest a protective effect of overexpression of IGF-1 in the transgenic animals (Zhang et al. 2014). Pathophysiologic schema for the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM).
Types of participants
Now, the recent AHA guidelines emphasize that we shouldnât drink if we donât already, and if you do, limiting daily intake to two drinks for men and one drink for women is really the best for your health. Some individuals may be more susceptible to changes in blood pressure due to alcohol consumption, while others may have a more resilient response. It’s crucial to recognize these individual differences and monitor how alcohol affects one’s blood pressure on a personal level. If you find it difficult to avoid alcohol or are consuming it in unhealthy amounts, its interaction with lisinopril may be just one of your problems.
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output, which can lead to dehydration and disrupt electrolyte levels, both of which can negatively impact blood pressure control. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can cause blood vessels to narrow and the heart to work harder, further contributing to spikes in blood pressure. When thinking about changing your alcohol consumption, if you think your intake may be excessive, it is important to look at patterns of drinking to develop a plan to safely reduce alcohol intake. Most providers are comfortable having this discussion and I always appreciate that my patients are invested in their health. Research cited in the recommendations strongly indicates that even moderate drinking can nudge your blood pressure up over time.
Search methods for identification of studies
You want to avoid elevating your blood pressure at all costs because extended hypertension can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease, and more. Because of this, the American Heart Association recommends that if you donât drink alcohol, you shouldnât start. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how alcohol affects blood pressure, the short- and long-term mechanisms involved, why moderation is key, recommendations from health authorities, and practical tips to minimize risks. Whether youâre curious about cutting back, worried about newly diagnosed hypertension, or looking for ways to support a loved one, this resource can help you make informed decisions about alcohol and cardiovascular well-being.
Whether youâre managing existing conditions or looking to prevent future risks, weâre here to help every step of the way. Even one drink can affect your blood pressure alcohol temporarily, especially if consumed quickly or in combination with other risk factors. âAlcohol is certainly not the sole driver of increases in blood pressure; however, our findings confirm it contributes in a meaningful way. Limiting alcohol intake is advised, and avoiding it is even better,â Vinceti said. That said, if you have specific concerns about your blood pressure and heart health, or feel that your drinking habits have a negative effect on your health and well-being, itâs always a good idea to let your doctor know.
Description of studies
Recent research suggests that automated ambulatory blood pressure monitors are more reliable than manual sphygmomanometers, particularly because automated monitors reduce white coat anxiety (Mirdamadi 2017). Of the 32 included studies, seven studies used a manual mercury sphygmomanometer or a semiâautomated sphygmomanometer for BP measurement (Bau 2005; Dai 2002; Karatzi 2005; Kojima 1993; Potter 1986; Rossinen 1997; Van De Borne 1997). Mixing of various measurement techniques (manual, how does alcohol affect blood pressure semiâautomated, and fully automated) in the metaâanalysis might have led to some of the heterogeneity. For low doses of alcohol, we found lowâcertainty evidence suggesting that SBP, DBP, and MAP fall within the first six hours after alcohol consumption. Rosito 1999 reported the effects of 15, 30, and 60 g of alcohol compared to placebo on healthy male volunteers.
Cheng et al65 have shown that angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade prevents alcoholic cardiomyopathy in dogs. The calcium channel blockers, because of the probability of the involvement of calcium in the development of alcohol-induced hypertension, may also likely be the drug of choice for the treatment of alcohol-induced hypertension. Possible Blood Pressure SpikeFollowing heavy consumption, individuals might notice an uptick in heart rate and BP.
As drinking continues, we start to see alcoholic cardiomyopathy, where heavy drinking can weaken and enlarge the heart muscle, reducing its pumping efficiency, and increased risk of heart failure, stroke and sudden cardiac death. Managing blood pressure and alcohol consumption involves finding a balance that works for your overall health. Moderation is key, and if you have concerns about your blood pressure or alcohol consumption, it’s important to seek professional guidance.