The sample size in the meta‐analysis for low‐dose comparison was not adequate to assess the effects of low doses of alcohol on BP and HR; however, we believe that the direction of the change in BP and HR was correct. For medium doses and high doses of alcohol, participants represented a range in terms of age, sex, and health condition. Because the participant population comprised predominantly young and healthy normotensive men, the overall evidence generated in this review cannot be extrapolated to women and older populations with other comorbidities. To determine short‐term dose‐related effects of alcohol versus placebo on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in healthy and hypertensive adults over 18 years of age. A 2023 report found that drinking too much alcohol regularly, exceeding 30 grams per day, can significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. According to a recent analysis by the American Heart Association (AHA), the more alcoholic drinks you have each day, the higher your systolic blood pressure tends to be.
Beulens 2005 published data only
The magnitude and direction of the effects of alcohol on blood pressure depend on the time after alcohol consumption. Moderate‐certainty evidence shows that acute consumption of medium to high doses of alcohol decreases blood pressure within the first six hours and for up to 12 hours after alcohol consumption. For times greater than 13 hours, high doses of alcohol consumption increased blood pressure.
Less serious risks
In the case of performance bias, we classified six studies as having low risk of bias, 19 studies as having high risk of bias, and seven studies as having unclear risk of bias. We assessed selective reporting bias for each of the outcomes separately. For the other domains, we grouped outcomes together and provided only one judgement. We contacted study authors for missing or unclear information required for the risk of bias assessment and then reassessed the domains once the information was available.
Safe Alcohol Consumption
We also evaluated the effect modification of baseline BP and duration of follow-up on mean BP difference at the end of the study related to usual baseline alcohol intake by use of a meta-regression model. We assessed the heterogeneity of the included studies using the I2 statistic for forest-plots, and through graphical overlay of study-specific predicted curves in the dose-response meta-analysis, to show the extent of variation across studies. Finally, we evaluated the likelihood of publication bias using funnel plots and by computing the Egger’s test. The evidence synthesised in this review was collected from 32 RCTs in 767 participants. Of the 32 studies, two studied low‐dose alcohol, 12 studied medium‐dose alcohol, and 19 studied high‐dose alcohol.
- There were risks for misclassifications, and it is possible that some participants changed alcohol consumption amounts during the follow-up time.
- The complications of treatment depend on the exact medication or treatment you receive.
- Therefore, potential interventions could target weight loss, a sedentary lifestyle, appropriate sodium/potassium intake changes, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake.
- A normal heart pumps blood around the body easily, at a low pressure.
- High‐dose alcohol consumption increased HR by approximately 6 bpm in participants, and the effect lasted up to 12 hours.
- It has also become clear over time that no amount of alcohol is considered safe for consumption, regardless of the type of alcohol.
To prevent various health complications, including high blood pressure, people should try to limit their alcohol consumption to one or two glasses infrequently. When you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your healthcare professional. But many things can make your blood sugar levels change, sometimes quickly. The NIDDK has supported many research projects to learn more about the effects how does alcohol affect blood pressure of high blood pressure on kidney disease including identifying genes related to a cholesterol protein that causes African Americans to be at higher risk for kidney disease. Clinical trials—and other types of clinical studies—are part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future.
In hospital, your medications are adjusted to control your blood pressure, but you aren’t drinking alcohol at that time. Back home, if you start drinking regularly again and your blood pressure changes, your GP can alter your medications. Heavier drinking (binge drinking) can also bring on a first episode of arrhythmia; once this has happened for the first time, you’re at an increased risk in the future. Studies have shown that a good percentage of people who drink alcohol also smoke, which can raise blood pressure as well.
However, the CDC states these findings may be due to other lifestyle differences between people who drink moderately and those who do not. That fourth drink at the bar may feel like it’s relaxing you, but it’s actually affecting your body differently than you might think. Alcohol can affect your blood pressure, causing it to go up temporarily. This is especially true when you engage in binge drinking (that’s defined as four or more drinks within two hours for women and people assigned female at birth, and five or more drinks within two hours for men and people assigned male at birth). Mechanisms related to the positive and adverse effects of alcohol on cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary heart disease and stroke as well as cardiomyopathy. Different mechanisms may be in effect depending on the dose, duration, and pattern of alcohol consumption.
What does it mean to drink in moderation?
Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling AHA-USA1. And if you struggle with alcohol use disorder or addiction, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare team. With GoodRx, you may be eligible to save even more on popular treatments.
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