In order to safely lower your blood pressure to a healthy range it’s important to decrease the total amount and frequency at which you consume alcohol. If you’re a heavy drinker consider cutting back does alcohol lower or raise blood pressure to more moderate levels of drinking over a sustained period of time. Immediately stopping alcohol consumption can be incredibly dangerous if you’re a heavy drinker.

In Barden 2013, treatment allocation was performed by a statistician who was not involved in the trial. Opaque sealed randomised envelopes were used in Cheyne 2004 and Foppa 2002, and random number allocator was used in Rosito 1999. It is important to note that information regarding the method of allocation concealment used in Foppa 2002 and Rosito 1999 was provided by the study author via email. We also contacted Hering 2011, but the study author did not explicitly mention in the email the method of allocation concealment used. Two review authors (ST and CT) performed data extraction independently using a standard data collection form, followed by a cross‐check. In cases of disagreement, the third review authors (JMW) became involved to resolve the disagreement.

Increased Cortisol (Stress Hormone) Levels

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. “When consumed in excess, any type of alcohol, including red wine, is going to affect blood pressure,” she adds. It’s long been touted as “good for heart health,” but newer research suggests its benefits aren’t as great as we thought. In fact, several studies have shown that drinking red wine regularly raises blood pressure, according to an April 2023 review in Nutrients1.

• Reach out today to create a personalized treatment plan that can encourage your success.
• One standard drink of alcohol can give you about 14 grams of ethanol, which can lower your systolic blood pressure by about 5.5 mm Hg and your diastolic blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg12.
• “Alcohol is certainly not the sole driver of increases in blood pressure; however, our findings confirm it contributes in a meaningful way.

Vazquez‐Fresno 2012 published data only

Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach https://dev.offcampusconsulting.com/2022/03/25/should-i-go-back-to-rehab-after-a-drug-or-alcohol/ resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. 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. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings.

Andres‐Lacueva 2013 published data only

Although alcohol can make you feel drowsy, it disrupts deep sleep and can lead to fragmented sleep patterns, linked to increased blood pressure and overall heart strain. Heavy alcohol users who cut back to average drinking can Alcoholics Anonymous lower their top number in a blood pressure reading by about 5.5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their bottom number by about 4 mm Hg. Because, alcohol can worsen these conditions by relaxing blood vessels and reducing blood volume.

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. Alcohol’s effects on blood pressure can range from temporary dips to chronic elevations that increase the risk of serious health problems. While a small glass of red wine might be part of a cultural tradition or family dinner, it’s essential to consume alcohol mindfully, balancing any potential benefits with the very real risks. Staying aware of your blood pressure readings, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and seeking professional guidance if you suspect an alcohol-related disorder can help safeguard your cardiovascular health. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol misuse and its impacts on blood pressure or overall well-being, The Recovery Village Palmer Lake is here to offer support, treatment, and hope for a healthier future.

Zamora‐Ros 2006 published data only

An occasional drink may not make a significant difference if your high blood pressure is under good control with medication and/or healthy habits like diet and exercise. Ethanol promotes oxidative stress in the heart muscle, contributing to cell death, muscle breakdown and impaired heart muscle contractions. Acetaldehyde—a product of ethanol breakdown in the body—also damages cells and prevents the heart muscle from contracting properly to move blood through the body. Wine is often praised for heart health, but the latest research tells a more complicated story. Moderate drinking is considered to be two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less for women.

This is because alcohol causes your blood vessels to constrict, increasing resistance to blood flow and raising blood pressure. In addition to these immediate effects, chronic high alcohol intake causes inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging blood vessel walls and making them less elastic. Over time, these changes contribute to persistent high blood pressure, or hypertension. Understanding how alcohol affects blood pressure at both individual and population levels underscores the importance of moderation. Keeping within recommended limits and managing other lifestyle factors like diet and exercise are essential for controlling blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular risks.

• Research suggests that 74.5 percent of people 60 and older have high blood pressure, compared with 54.5 percent of adults ages 40 to 59.
• Alcohol is processed by the liver, which can handle only so much at a time.
• 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.
• Drinking too much alcohol can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, and even shock.

Low‐dose alcohol consumption had no effect on blood pressure (BP) within six hours, but we found only two trials that studied this dose and no trials that assessed BP after six hours. Low‐dose alcohol increased heart rate (HR) within six hours, suggesting that even one glass of wine increases HR. Unfortunately, we found no studies measuring HR more than six hours after the dose. Studies have shown that a reduction in alcohol intake is effective in lowering the blood pressure both in hypertensives and normotensives and may help to prevent the development of hypertension12,41,95,96. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm of mercury (mm Hg) and their diastolic blood pressure by 1 to 2 mmHg.

I always recommend my low blood pressure patients to follow a low blood pressure-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life. Furthermore, alcohol is a depressant and depressants are bad for low blood pressure. Ethanol can also impair the liver’s ability to metabolize hormones that control blood pressure, such as renin and angiotensin. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which can worsen low blood pressure symptoms.

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 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.

How does alcohol affect blood pressure and the heart?

View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction.