Can drinking raise my blood pressure?

Metabolism and ClearanceMost alcohol is processed by the liver, where enzymes (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase) break it down into acetaldehyde and then acetate. The average person’s body can generally handle about one standard drink per hour. Exceeding that rate can lead to rising blood alcohol concentrations, which can contribute to short-term physiological changes and potential harm if done repeatedly over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol can interact with blood pressure medications, impacting the level of the medication in the body or increasing side effects 1. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist to understand the specific interactions between alcohol and the prescribed medications. When it comes to alcohol consumption and its impact on blood pressure, it is important to understand the recommended limits and potential interactions with medications.

The Importance of Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure

When alcohol affects blood pressure alcohol, you may notice changes in your mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) readings, especially in the top number (systolic pressure). If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Drinking too much alcohol can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, and even shock. Monitoring your alcohol intake and being aware of these signs can help you manage your blood pressure more effectively. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how alcohol affects your blood pressure, which drinks are riskier, how much is safe, and smart ways to enjoy alcohol without harming your heart. A high dose of alcohol typically raises your blood pressure for about 24 hours after you drink it.

What health risks are associated with alcohol-induced changes in blood pressure?

• 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).
• Repeated episodes of binge drinking—defined as drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period—can cause persistent increases in blood pressure over time.
• Having more than three drinks in one sitting raises blood pressure for a short time.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases.
• For those with pre-existing hypertension, this compounding effect could be dangerous.

In this article, we will delve into the scientific evidence and expert opinions to explore this topic comprehensively. For anyone concerned about heart health, the question “Will alcohol raise blood pressure? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, and the relationship between blood pressure and alcohol consumption is a key factor to consider. Whether you drink alcohol occasionally, regularly, or engage in binge drinking, understanding the impact of blood pressure alcohol levels is critical for your overall health.

• Several factors can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, including genetics, lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, and medical conditions such as kidney disease and sleep apnea.
• One small study showed a moderate increase in systolic blood pressure with cannabis use.
• Alcohol triggers the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones which can temporarily raise blood pressure.
• Generally, drinks with higher alcohol content—such as spirits like whiskey, vodka, and rum—are more likely to raise blood pressure than lower-alcohol options like beer or wine.

Kawano 1992 published data only

While moderate alcohol consumption might not significantly harm most people, drinking too much alcohol, especially through binge drinking or heavy alcohol use, poses serious health risks. We did not consider the lack of blinding of participants as a downgrading factor for certainty of evidence because we do not think that it affected the outcomes of this systematic review. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate after alcohol consumption were not the primary outcomes of interest in most of the included studies.

Dose‐dependent response

For the purposes of this review, if I² was greater than 50%, it was considered to show a substantial level of heterogeneity. Furthermore, we visually inspected the forest plot to check whether there were any non‐overlapping Sober living house confidence intervals indicating heterogeneity. Last, we attempted to explore the reason for heterogeneity by looking for clinical and methodological differences between trials. All outcomes of interest in the review (BP and HR) produced continuous data.

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. The inclusion of non‐randomised studies in McFadden 2005, which are known to be at higher risk of bias, is likely the reason for the discrepancy in the magnitude of BP effects.

Additionally, individuals who are struggling with alcohol addiction should seek professional help to safely manage their alcohol intake. For guidance on how to wean off alcohol safely, check out our article on how to wean yourself off alcohol safely. Binge drinking is when you drink a large amount (more than 6 units or 2 large glasses of wine) in a short space of time.

This dehydration effect explains why frequent urination and thirst are common experiences while drinking. For those struggling to cut back on alcohol, professional help is available. Recognizing a potential alcohol use disorder and seeking assistance can be a critical step in preventing high blood pressure and other health complications. Although none of the participants had high blood pressure when they enrolled in the studies, their blood pressure measurements at the beginning did have an impact on the alcohol findings. Individuals who drink alcohol in excess can help improve their overall health by stopping drinking.

If you do choose to enjoy red wine, moderation is key—typically defined as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, though even these guidelines can vary based on individual circumstances. Known medically as hypertension, many people don’t even know they have it because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially.

• Study authors mentioned that acute ethanol administration caused transitory increase in BP at 20 minutes.
• It also increases the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which cause blood vessels to narrow.
• Alcohol can cause blood vessels to constrict and heart rate to increase, putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
• While past research has suggested a potential benefit of regularly consuming a small amount of alcohol each day, newer research has called those findings into question and noted that more studies are still needed.
• While a moderate amount of alcohol may not be harmful for healthy adults, heavy drinking can lead to chronic hypertension and other serious health problems.

Even more dangerous, an area of one of your arteries may weaken from the high pressure. Over time, it will weaken even further, eventually rupturing and causing internal bleeding. Discover the benefits, support, and triumphs on your journey to seek joy and sobriety.

Hypertension can be genetic or may be due to environmental factors such as poor diet, obesity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle (Weber 2014; WHO 2013). A population‐based study showed that the incidence of hypertension is higher in African descendants (36%) than in Caucasians (21%) (Willey 2014). Proper management of hypertension can lead to reduction in cardiovascular complications and mortality (Kostis 1997; SHEP 1991; Staessen 1999). While moderate drinking may have potential benefits, excessive alcohol consumption can have adverse effects on blood pressure.

We also contacted Hering 2011, but the study author did not explicitly mention in the email the method of allocation concealment used. We (ST and CT) independently screened the citations found through the database search using Covidence software (Covidence). We excluded articles if the citation seemed completely irrelevant or was identified as a review or observational study after the title and abstract were read. For remaining studies, we (ST and CT) retrieved full‐text articles for further assessment. Any disagreements regarding inclusion or exclusion of studies were resolved by discussion between review authors.