Effects of Alcohol on Blood Pressure

Alcohol is considered a nemesis for health. Did you know that alcohol consumption can increase your blood pressure? Go through this article for more information on the same.
Consuming excess alcohol has always been linked to diseases and disorders. Heavy alcoholism is when a person consumes more than 2-3 glasses of alcohol daily. Alcohol primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS), damages the liver causing liver cirrhosis, and also increases the risks of cancer. Excess consumption of alcohol can also affect blood pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a precursor of numerous problems related to the heart, kidney and brain. It is always advised to maintain proper blood pressure. There are several causes of high blood pressure; alcohol being one of them. Excess consumption of alcohol can increase the blood pressure, resulting in hypertension. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Alcohol and Blood Pressure

Alcohol can affect the blood pressure in different ways. Firstly, consuming excess alcohol causes an increase in weight as alcohol contains excess calories. Excessive fats put excess pressure on the arteries and consequently on the heart. This increases the pressure on the arteries and the heart, indirectly causing a rise in blood pressure. Secondly, excessive alcohol also has an adverse effect on the functioning of the kidneys and damage them. When the kidneys are damaged, they exert pressure on arteries, resulting in hypertension.

Another factor to be taken into consideration is the combination of stress and alcohol. As alcohol is a depressant, people tend to consume alcohol in order to reduce stress. Therefore, stress and excess consumption of alcohol, together, can also be a risk factors for increasing the blood pressure. Heavy drinkers are more prone to suffer from blood pressure related problems than others. Studies have shown that heavy drinkers have blood pressure higher by nearly 4 mmHg than non-drinkers. It is, therefore, essential to avoid alcohol for treating hypertension.

Effects of alcohol consumption on blood pressure differ from person to person. In some people there may only be a slight increase, while in others, there may be a drastic rise. It is observed that the effects of alcohol on blood pressure are similar in women as in men. But, women are at a higher risk of suffering from hypertension due to alcohol than men. Older men, above the age of 65, are also at a greater risk of suffering from complications caused due to alcohol induced high blood pressure.

As there are several side effects of alcoholism, it is best to stop drinking alcohol. It is observed that people who do not consume alcohol have a normal blood pressure as compared to those who have excess alcohol on regular basis. In case completely quitting alcohol is not possible, one can reduce the quantity and have alcohol in moderate amounts. Doctors advise people to have moderate amounts of alcohol, i.e, one drink per day for women and two drinks for men (i.e., 1 small glass of lager or wine and 1 measure of spirit)

It is not easy to quit drinking immediately if a person is a heavy alcoholic. In that case, he can start by keeping a check on the amount of alcohol he consumes. Mixing water with alcohol, so as to make the drink last longer, is a good way to prevent excessive alcohol intake. Alcoholism can be reduced and also completely stopped with the help of alcohol treatment and therapies.

Once the amount of alcohol is reduced, a decrease in blood pressure can be noted; only if alcohol is the sole underlying cause. You should look for different stress management methods in order to reduce stress. It is also advisable to get your blood pressure checked by the doctor regularly. If it is found that alcohol is the underlying cause, then the intake has to be controlled. One has to seriously consider the effects of alcohol on blood pressure and try to modify his lifestyle to lead a healthy life! This article is meant only to provide information and should not to substituted for doctor's advice. Take care!