However, the impact of alcohol on the body is complex, especially regarding its effect on blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, while extremely low blood pressure can also create immediate health concerns. Understanding how alcohol influences blood pressure is essential for anyone interested in maintaining or improving cardiovascular health. Below, we explore how alcohol can raise or lower blood pressure, who might be at risk, and steps you can take to protect your heart. Alcohol intake management in a hypertensive context is a matter of high concern, which has been explicitly tackled by some observational studies (Larsson 2016) and also mentioned in hypertension guidelines (Hypertension Canada 2018).
Dumont 2010 published data only
We assessed the effect measures for ordinal data as continuous data, using weighted mean difference, after ensuring that the different scales used in the trials pointed towards a single direction. Research from the National Library of Medicine has revealed that a significant portion of heavy drinkers see a rapid reversal in hypertension when they stop drinking. Treatment for alcohol abuse typically involves addressing the underlying reasons for drinking, changing habits related to alcohol, and developing coping skills to avoid or manage urges to drink. If you have high blood pressure, it means that either your systolic or diastolic number is elevated above normal levels. Some people may be able to continue to drink alcohol in low amounts if they have high blood pressure.
Burke 2001 published data only
Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. It also harms the developing fetus and can lead to birth defects and other health problems. It is important to seek professional help if you are alcohol lower blood pressure concerned about your or a loved one’s alcohol use. An addiction specialist can help determine the best course of action and provide guidance on available treatment options. You can do many things to prevent the risk of hypertension—even if you are more at risk due to hereditary or other factors. For safety reasons, you should consult with your primary care doctor to check for any safety concerns about consuming alcohol if you already have high blood pressure.
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- No differences were found either for overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality or cardiovascular events.
- For low doses of alcohol, we found low‐certainty evidence suggesting that SBP, DBP, and MAP fall within the first six hours after alcohol consumption.
- If we were not able to get SD from the study authors or calculate SD from the values mentioned above, we imputed SD using the following hierarchy (listed from highest to lowest) (Musini 2014).
- This effect can be more pronounced the morning after, when the body is in withdrawal from alcohol, potentially accompanied by anxiety, sweating, and restlessness.
- The included study did not provide data for analysis of serious adverse events and quality of life of participants.
We reviewed available evidence about the short‐term effects of different doses of alcoholic drinks compared to non‐alcoholic drinks on blood pressure and heart rate in adults (≥ 18 years) with both normal and raised blood pressure. There is an urgent need for adequate long‐term randomised controlled trials comparing the impact of alcohol intake reduction strategies on blood pressure and clinically relevant outcomes. Taking all the previous aspects into account, the main results found in both reviews might in the end not be that contradictory. Roerecke 2017 concluded that, in general, a reduction of alcohol intake was likely to reduce blood pressure in a general population in a dose‐dependent Drug rehabilitation manner with a possible threshold effect.
Koenig 1997 published data only
We are aware of one systematic review on effects of alcohol on blood pressure that was published in 2005 (McFadden 2005). McFadden 2005 included both randomised and non‐randomised studies with a minimum of 24 hours of blood pressure observation after alcohol consumption. This systematic review searched only the MEDLINE database for relevant studies, hence it was not exhaustive. Review authors included nine studies involving a total of 119 participants, and the duration of these studies was between four and seven days. Participants in those studies consumed alcohol regularly during the study period, whereas in our systematic review, we included only studies in which participants consumed alcohol for a short period. Based on nine studies, McFadden 2005 reported that the mean increase in SBP was 2.7 mmHg and in DBP was 1.4 mmHg.
- We also checked the lists of references in the included studies and articles that cited the included studies in Google Scholar to identify relevant articles.
- Nevertheless, the predominant long-term cardiovascular risk of alcohol is high blood pressure, not low blood pressure.
- There, it exerts a depressant effect, influencing mood, motor skills, and cognition.
- If you have developed any complications of high blood pressure or alcohol intake, your doctor can also help you manage them as well.
Prevent Hypertension with Imperial Center Family Medicine
If we were not able to get SD from the study authors or calculate SD from the values mentioned above, we imputed SD using the following hierarchy https://ecosoberhouse.com/ (listed from highest to lowest) (Musini 2014). Alcohol has been reported to diminish baroreceptor sensitivity, which is a key factor in regulating blood pressure (Abdel‐Rahman 1985; Rupp 1996). Baroreceptors or stretch receptors are mechanoreceptors located on the arch of the aorta and the carotid sinus. They can detect changes in blood pressure and can maintain blood pressure by controlling heart rate, contractility, and peripheral resistance. Acute administration of alcohol stimulates the release of histamine and endorphin, which interferes with baroreflex sensitivity (Carretta 1988). Steven Nissen, MD, a cardiologist from the Cleveland Clinic, points out that increasing blood pressure, even in small amounts, increases the risk of stroke.
Stream 2014 published data only
A dose of 14 grams of pure alcohol/ethanol or less was defined as a low dose of alcohol. After de‐duplication and screening of titles and abstracts, we were left with 482 citations for further assessment. We retrieved full‐text articles for those citations and included 32 studies (Figure 1). The Cochrane Hypertension Information Specialist searched the following databases without language, publication year, or publication status restrictions. We included adult (≥ 18) participants of both sexes without any restriction on their health condition. Alcohol inhibits the release of ADH, overriding the body’s natural water-retention mechanism.
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Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. To understand how much alcohol is too much, it may be helpful to know what excessive drinking means. Experts reveal how a sip too many might tip the scales on your heart health. If you find that you need support beyond your family and friends, think about joining a support group.