Does drinking alcohol affect blood pressure?
Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily raises blood pressure. Repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure.
To understand how much alcohol is too much, it may be helpful to know the definitions of excessive drinking.
- Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men.
- Moderate drinking is up to one drink a day for women, two for men.
- Heavy alcohol use is defined as more than three drinks a day for women, four for men.
Heavy alcohol users who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their top number in a blood pressure reading (systolic pressure) by about 5.5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their bottom number (diastolic pressure) by about 4 mm Hg.
If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
A drink is 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Keep in mind that alcohol contains calories and may cause weight gain. Weight gain is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Alcohol may interact with certain blood pressure medications. It may affect the level of the medication in the body or increase side effects.
With
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.
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Oct. 20, 2022
- Tangney CC, et al. Cardiovascular benefits and risks of moderate alcohol consumption. //www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 29, 2020.
- Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle? American Heart Association. //www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/alcohol-and-heart-health. Accessed Aug. 1, 2022.
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- Piano MR, et al. Effects of repeated binge drinking on blood pressure levels and other cardiovascular health metrics in young adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018; doi:10.1161/JAHA.118.008733.
- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. //www.dietaryguidelines.gov/. Accessed Dec. 29, 2020.
- Roerecke M, et al. The effect of a reduction in alcohol consumption on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2017; doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30003-8.
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