Research shows that even low levels of alcohol consumption can be potentially harmful, as there is no safe level for cancer risk, adds Diaz. This increase in heart rate can also lead to does alcohol drop blood pressure «holiday heart syndrome,» Dr. Mintz says. «In the 24 to 48 hours after you drink, you can experience irregular heartbeats.» This was first noticed in emergency rooms after New Year’s Eve, a night known for celebratory — and sometimes excessive — alcohol consumption. Sometimes, it’s hard to avoid alcoholic beverages at social events, but excessive alcohol consumption may increase your risk of high blood pressure. «When consumed in excess, any type of alcohol, including red wine, is going to affect blood pressure,» she adds.

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To help manage cholesterol and blood sugar, try some of the same healthy habits that help lower blood pressure. Follow your healthcare professional’s advice on how to manage cholesterol and blood sugar. Managing alcohol intake is crucial not only for physical health but also for preserving your mental well-being. Alcohol has been shown to disrupt neurotransmitters, which can elevate the risk of anxiety, depression, impulsivity and psychosis over time, says Diaz. Chronic alcohol consumption can also lead to a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine), potentially resulting in serious neurological disorders like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, she adds. “Long-term heavy drinking may contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease,” adds Andrews.

More on Hypertension

But men who drank red wine with alcohol, or 3 ounces of gin, had no change in their blood pressure. Researchers think that the alcohol in the wine weakens any antioxidant benefit to blood pressure. “Adults above the age of 50 are at much higher risk of heart attack and stroke than they are of any possible harmful effects to light-moderate drinking,” Klatsky says. “So even if they have high blood pressure, they could see the health benefit from something like a glass of red wine a day.» Experts have known for a while that heavy drinking — meaning eight or more drinks per week for women and 15-plus per week for men — raises your risk for high blood pressure (a.k.a. hypertension). When blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your arteries, is consistently high, that ups your risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure, as well as vision loss and kidney disease.

To Drink or Not to Drink: High Blood Pressure and Alcohol

No specific alcohol is best for someone with high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, doctors recommend decreasing your total alcohol intake or not drinking alcohol at all. It also discusses treatment and some frequently asked questions about alcohol and high blood pressure.

• Researchers were unable to study in-depth the relationship between age, blood pressure, and alcohol intake.
• Alcohol consumption is categorized into different levels based on the amount consumed.
• A research review from 2022 analyzed studies that gave participants with hypertension 70–250 milliliters (mL) of beetroot juice per day for 3–60 days.
• The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability.
• For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.

If you have high blood pressure, it’s best to reduce your alcohol intake. In general, experts suggest that people with high blood pressure shouldn’t exceed moderate alcohol consumption, which is one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men. According to the meta-analysis, people who had around 3.5 drinks per day saw their systolic blood pressure increase by nearly five points and their diastolic blood pressure increase by three points over five years. There are multiple short-term risks of excessive alcohol consumption.

• There’s a lot you can do to bring down your BP if you’re concerned about your numbers.
• We wanted to quantify the effects of a single dose of alcohol on blood pressure and heart rate within 24 hours of consumption.
• If a person thinks that they might be consuming alcohol at a rate that would classify as moderate drinking, heavy drinking, or binge drinking, they should consider cutting back to improve their overall health and well-being.
• As the blood vessels get wider, blood pressure continues to drop.
• A person can speak with a qualified healthcare professional if they find it difficult to reduce their alcohol intake.

Medical Professionals

In addition to alcohol use, many other factors can cause high blood pressure. The underlying cause, on the other hand, may require extensive treatment by a specialist, such as a cardiologist, neurologist, or endocrinologist. Hypotensive syndromes tend to come on suddenly, sometimes with dramatic symptoms, including extreme dizziness and unconsciousness. Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability.