Alcohol can affect blood pressure and heart health, especially for older adults and for anyone who already has high blood pressure or heart disease.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels. When this pressure stays too high, it makes the heart work harder than it should. Over time, high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems.

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Having several drinks in one sitting can cause blood pressure to rise for a short time. When heavy drinking happens often, blood pressure can stay high over the long term.

It is also important to understand what “too much” alcohol means. For women, more than one drink a day is considered heavy drinking. While for men, more than two drinks a day is considered heavy drinking. Drinking many drinks in a short period of time can be especially harmful to blood pressure.

Cutting back on alcohol can help lower blood pressure. Even a small drop in blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart problems and stroke. Alcohol also contains quite a few calories, it packs almost twice the calories of carbs, even though it does not provide nutrients. Drinking regularly can lead to weight gain, and extra weight can raise blood pressure even more. Another concern is that alcohol can affect blood pressure medications. It may change how well the medicine works or cause stronger side effects, such as dizziness or feeling lightheaded.

For many healthy adults, alcohol should be limited. In general, this means no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, such as liquor. These amounts may be smaller than people expect. Drinking more than this on a regular basis can raise blood pressure and strain the heart. Some people with high blood pressure may be advised to drink less or not drink at all. A healthcare provider can help determine what is safest based on individual health needs.

In summary, drinking less alcohol can help protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and support better overall health. Making small changes can lead to meaningful benefits.

Reference:

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Alcohol. Does it affect blood pressure? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254