High Blood Pressure Due to Alcohol?

What influence does alcohol have on blood pressure?

The relationship between blood pressure and alcohol can be confusing. On one hand, alcohol has a vasodilating effect, which is clearly visible in the often observed reddening of the face after consuming alcoholic beverages. One might think that vasodilation normally lowers blood pressure, and they would not be entirely wrong. Dilated vessels alone do lower blood pressure - that is correct. However, the vasodilation caused by alcohol only occurs temporarily. And: The metabolism of larger amounts of alcohol triggers several mechanisms in the body that lead to vasoconstriction. For example, increased sympathetic activity due to alcohol leads to the increased release of blood pressure-raising hormones. These cause (in addition to an increase in heart rate) a narrowing of the vessels blood pressure rises. This is exacerbated when alcohol is consumed to relieve stress or - as is often the case - when smoking is involved.

Many Calories and Damaged Organs

Secondly, alcohol negatively affects the body through the increased intake of calories, as many calories often lead to overweight. And this is frequently associated with hypertension.

Another connection arises from the harmful effects of alcohol on the organs. Organ damage from regular or excessive consumption of spirits can lead to high blood pressure values as a consequence.

Finally, the direct effect on blood pressure is also situation-dependent. Alcohol can - like other intoxicants - enhance the emotional state of the consumer. A glass of beer or wine consumed in a relaxed setting has less of a blood pressure-raising effect than the same amount of alcohol consumed in a tense, aggressive mood.

Is there a safe amount of alcohol?

This question divides opinions. Because the study results are not uniform. What is certain is that regular and/or high alcohol consumption negatively affects the body.

Occasionally having a glass of beer or wine is also allowed for hypertensives. This is the general conclusion. For men, the limit is no more than 30 g of alcohol daily, which corresponds to about a quarter liter of wine or half a liter of beer. For women, this threshold is slightly lower - at 20 g of alcohol daily. These amounts likely do not influence blood pressure in the long term. However, regular, especially excessive alcohol consumption causes blood pressure to rise.

Therefore, it is important not only for the sake of blood pressure to limit alcohol consumption at least.

However, an American study found a connection between hypertension and even moderate alcohol consumption of 7 - 13 alcoholic beverages per week. Compared to people who do not drink alcohol, there was already a 50% increased risk of developing hypertension.

In 2023, a meta-analysis of seven long-term studies on the relationship between alcohol consumption and an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was published. This shows that there are no threshold values, but any consumption of alcohol negatively affects blood pressure. According to the results of this analysis, there is no safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed. The blood pressure-raising effect of alcohol begins with the first glass and increases linearly with the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed.

Do cultural influences play a role?

The sub-analysis of a Spanish study, which originally aimed to demonstrate wine consumption independent of the amount reported by the participant, provided indications of a protective effect under very limited circumstances. Study participants were older individuals from the Mediterranean region who consistently had a high cardiovascular risk. The evaluation of the study data found a potentially protective effect when these individuals consumed up to 35 glasses of wine at 100 ml each, totaling up to 3.5 liters per month. With higher consumption, the potentially protective effect diminishes. It is also noted that this effect may not be transferable to other population groups and specifically relates only to wine consumption in this particular cohort.

Caution with medication intake

In connection with medications, alcohol consumption often results in an increased risk of side effects. Additionally, the effect of the medication can be enhanced or diminished. This concerns not only the situation of swallowing pills with alcohol but also alcohol consumption during the period when medications are taken.

Sources:

This article is from BloodPressureDB the leading app since 2011 that supports hundreds of thousands in blood pressure monitoring every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 01/2025).

Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has been leading the editorial team of BloodPressureDB since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.