Want to lower your blood pressure? Here’s what new guidelines say

An increase in sympathetic activity is consistent with impairment of the baroreceptors that, when activated, inhibit the sympathetic nervous system45,47. While moderate drinking may have some benefits for certain individuals, the risks of excessive consumption far outweigh any potential rewards. By understanding how alcohol impacts your body and making informed choices, you can take control of your cardiovascular health. Several mechanisms contribute to this increase in blood pressure with regular alcohol intake. Alcohol can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and blood vessel constriction.

Differences between protocol and review

High triglyceride levels in the blood stream have been linked to atherosclerosis and, by extension, increased risk of CHD and stroke. However, in a recently conducted Mendelian randomization study, Vu and colleagues (2016) reported that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption reduced triglyceride and LDL-c and increased HDL-c, in particular the HDL2-c subfraction. Interestingly, the researchers found a nonlinear effect of alcohol consumption on HDL2-c levels. This supports the findings from other studies that the alcohol-induced changes in HDL-c do not fully account for the lower risk of CHD in moderate alcohol drinkers (Mukamal 2012). The serum levels of vasoactive substances such as renin-aldosterone have been reported to be affected by alcohol ingestion in vivo or ethanol in vitro54-56. Antihypertensive drugs are shown to offer protection against alcohol induced responses in cultured human endothelial cells suggesting the possible involvement of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)56.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Stress Cardiomyopathy: What You Need to Know

If you drink large amounts of alcohol daily, consider talking with a healthcare professional about how to taper off your alcohol intake to prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For men, drinking about two standard drinks can increase blood pressure in the short term. For women, the number marijuana addiction of drinks necessary to produce this effect may be lower. The authors of a 2020 research review examined the short-term effects of alcohol on healthy people over 18 years old within 6 hours of consumption. In various biologic systems, oxidative stress can be measured or inferred by several biologic indexes.

References to studies excluded from this review

But beneath the surface of this seemingly harmless indulgence lies a complex interplay between alcohol and our cardiovascular system. The answer, as with many things in health and science, is not entirely straightforward. Some studies suggest that light to moderate alcohol consumption might have protective effects on the cardiovascular system. Medical guidelines define moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Alcohol consumption has significant health implications, particularly its impact on blood pressure.

Over time, heavy drinking can cloud your perception of distances and volumes, or slow and impair your motor skills. But if you quit, your brain seems to be able to regain some of these abilities. Even just one bout of drinking too much may weaken your body’s germ-fighting power for up to 24 hours. Over time, large amounts of alcohol blunt your immune system and your body’s ability to repair itself.

• Nearly half of U.S. adults have elevated or high blood pressure, and most don’t have symptoms.
• However, it’s important to note that even moderate alcohol consumption can have an impact on blood pressure.
• The report emphasizes that most adults get their sodium intake from eating packaged and restaurant foods, rather than adding salt to the food they prepare.
• Stage 1 hypertension refers to those with a systolic blood pressure of 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mm Hg.

Immediately stopping alcohol consumption can be incredibly dangerous if you’re a heavy drinker. Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, commonly used for social gatherings, celebrations, or simply relaxing at the end of a long day. 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.

• Dumont 2010, Karatzi 2013, Kawano 1992, and Williams 2004 reported reasons for participant withdrawal and excluded their data from the final analysis.
• Data from animal models and human beings with a history of long-term drinking suggest that oxidative stress may be an early and initiating mechanism.
• This is one of the most significant updates in the new guidelines for blood pressure.

Checking in with your heart

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, most days of the week. When you drink alcohol, it causes your blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation), which can temporarily lower your blood pressure. Consider your current blood pressure readings, the medications you take, your family history of cardiovascular disease, and your ability to stick to true moderate consumption. Without alcohol, your stress hormone levels stabilize, your blood pressure and alcohol weight management becomes easier, and your blood pressure medications work more effectively.

Review Manager (RevMan) Computer program

The risks often outweigh the benefits, especially for individuals with existing health conditions or a family history of heart disease. When you stop drinking, your sympathetic nervous system activity decreases, allowing your blood vessels to relax and your heart rate to normalize. The combination of hormonal disruption, weight gain, and direct vascular effects makes heavy drinking one of the most dangerous habits for people with high blood pressure. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is important during the process of quitting alcohol and afterward. A healthcare provider can help interpret these readings and determine if the changes are within a healthy range.

Assuming that the low SEs of MDs reported in Stott 1987 and Barden 2013 are errors and are not reliable, we replaced these measures with the average SE of MD from the rest of the included studies. It is recommended that there should be at least 10 studies reporting each of the subgroups in question. Among the 32 included studies, only four studies included hypertensive participants (Kawano 1992; Kawano 2000; Kojima 1993; Foppa 2002).

When consumed, ethanol is quickly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, entering the bloodstream and traveling to organs, including the brain. There, it exerts a depressant effect, influencing mood, motor skills, and cognition. Meanwhile, it also impacts the body’s regulatory systems for vascular tone, fluid balance, and hormone release. People with heart disease, autonomic dysfunction, or dehydration are more susceptible to blood pressure drops from alcohol. The autonomic nervous system regulates blood pressure by adjusting heart rate and blood vessel tone.

Although hangovers can feel dreadful, the net effect on BP can vary—some people might see slight dips from dehydration, while others undergo rebounds in sympathetic activity that push pressure higher. Doctors will inquire about alcohol use patterns, symptoms, and medication history. Physical exam includes measuring blood pressure in different positions to assess for orthostatic hypotension. If hypotension is severe, it can reduce blood flow to vital organs, leading to confusion, shock, or organ failure. ST extracted data, checked data entry, conducted data analysis, interpreted study results, and drafted the final review. Many interrelated changes are possibly responsible for the biphasic effect of alcohol on blood pressure.

Incorporating these healthy habits can accelerate the reduction in blood pressure and support long-term stability. The extent and speed of blood pressure recovery after quitting alcohol are influenced by individual factors. The duration and amount of alcohol consumed play a significant role, as heavier and more prolonged drinking patterns may necessitate a longer recovery period for the cardiovascular system to normalize. Individuals who have consumed alcohol in excess for many years might experience a slower return to healthy blood pressure levels. The timeline for blood pressure improvement after stopping alcohol varies, but a general progression can be observed.