Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure?

Alcohol increases blood levels of the hormone renin, which causes the blood vessels to constrict. Here’s what you need to know about the link between alcohol and blood pressure, including alcohol and the risk of high blood pressure, plus tips for how to manage your numbers. This approach is especially beneficial as it addresses the root causes of high blood pressure and promotes overall health without the potential side effects of medication.

High blood pressure is widespread, affecting almost half of adults in the United States. Klatsky says his biggest concern is that patients keep an open dialogue with their doctors about their lifestyle to achieve an authentic diagnosis. Nao Medical’s embrace of virtual appointments not only enhances patient accessibility but also exemplifies the organization’s dedication to innovation and patient-centered healthcare delivery. Try to pick low-sodium or salt-free canned goods, and wash your canned vegetables thoroughly after opening them. Salt is added to keep canned foods flavourful, which also means these foods are not ideal for hypertension.

Research limitations and continued research

Consuming alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other metabolic conditions in several ways. For example, alcohol can affect calcium levels, cortisol levels, and baroreceptor sensitivity, all of which can lead to increases in blood pressure. Individuals who drink alcohol in excess can help improve their overall health by stopping drinking. Alcohol prevents the body’s baroreceptors from detecting a need to stretch the blood vessels and increase their diameter, causing an increase in blood pressure.

Researchers were unable to study in-depth the relationship between age, blood pressure, and alcohol intake. There were risks for misclassifications, and it is possible that some participants changed alcohol consumption amounts during the follow-up time. The study also didn’t look at how different types of alcohol influenced blood pressure.

Nutritionist-Approved Foods to Boost Your Mood

Some data relied on self-reporting; further data could include more diverse samples. A Dutch study showed that heart-healthy nutrients called polyphenols in red wine help prevent heart disease, but not because of a drop in blood pressure. Research shows that the polyphenols improve the cells lining the blood vessels, and do improve blood flow alcohol lowers blood pressure and heart health. The jury is still out, though, on whether this could potentially improve high blood pressure in severe cases. One study published in the AHA journal Circulation found that consuming three glasses of non-alcoholic red wine daily for a month significantly reduced blood pressure among men with heart disease risk factors.

While ordering your favourite takeout sounds more appealing than cooking for yourself, limit your intake of these sodium-rich meals. Green tea does contain caffeine, which can temporarily raise blood pressure. Still, you might want to stick to just one cup if you’re sensitive to caffeine.