How does alcohol affect blood pressure?

Medical News TodayNewsletterWhat to know about alcohol and blood pressureMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA — Written by Christine Richardson on September 14, 2021What is blood pressure?Alcohol and blood pressureStandard drink definitionTypes of drinkingOther risks of alcoholBenefits of avoiding alcoholSummaryAlcoholic beverages are very popular. Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is typically safe, but excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of several metabolic conditions, including high blood pressure.Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a very common condition worldwide. It is also one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease.Keep reading to learn more about how alcohol affects blood pressure, some other risks associated with drinking alcohol, and the potential health benefits of cutting down.What is blood pressure?Share on PinterestTracey Kusiewicz/Foodie Photography/Getty ImagesBlood pressure is the amount of pressure in the blood vessels. This measurement takes into account the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure within the arteries of the heart when the heart contracts, and diastolic pressure refers to the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between contractions.The unit of measurement for blood pressure is millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It is expressed as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.A normal blood pressure is less than or equal to 120/80 mm Hg, and anything greater than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg is considered high.How alcohol affects blood pressureDrinking alcohol affects blood pressure in more than one way. The following sections will look at some of these ways in more detail.The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systemConsuming alcohol affects the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The RAAS is controlled by the kidneys, and its function is to regulate blood pressure through three hormones: renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone.Alcohol increases blood levels of the hormone renin, which causes the blood vessels to constrict. This means that they get smaller in diameter. Renin also decreases how much fluid the body eliminates as urine.This combination of higher fluid levels in the body and smaller blood vessels increases blood pressure.Vasopressin levelsAlcohol also reduces how much vasopressin the body makes. Vasopressin is an antidiuretic hormone. It causes the body to hold onto water, which typically limits how much urine the kidneys make. The action of suppressing this hormone exacerbates the diuretic effect and leads to dehydration.Cortisol levelsAnother potential mechanism is the increase in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates the body’s response to stress. It also regulates metabolism, immune function, and inflammatory pathways.Cortisol increases the release of catecholamines, which are chemicals in the body that help regulate many processes and help keep the body functioning as it should.Having higher levels of catecholamines causes the body to excrete less fluid through urine. Having more fluids in the body directly increases blood pressure levels.Baroreceptor sensitivityAlcohol also decreases baroreceptor sensitivity. Baroreceptors are types of receptors present in the body that help regulate blood pressure.There are two different types of baroreceptors: high pressure baroreceptors and low pressure receptors. Both of these activate when the blood vessels stretch.When blood pressure decreases, these receptors help minimize how much the blood vessels stretch to increase blood pressure. Similarly, when blood pressure increases, these receptors increase the stretching of the blood vessel walls in order to decrease blood pressure.Alcohol prevents the body’s baroreceptors from detecting a need to stretch the blood vessels and increase their diameter, causing an increase in blood pressure.Blood calcium levelsAlcohol consumption increases the amount of calcium that binds to the blood vessels. This increases the sensitivity of the blood vessels to compounds that constrict them. Constricting the blood vessels increases blood pressure.What is the definition of a standard drink?The definition of a standard drink is a beverage containing 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces [fl oz]) of pure alcohol. This amount is present in:12 fl oz of regular beer containing 5% alcohol5 fl oz of wine containing 12% alcohol1.5 fl oz of distilled spirits containing 40% alcoholAlthough these values can be helpful, there is some variation in alcohol content. For example, some beers — especially craft beers — can contain about twice as much alcohol as above.Blood pressure and types of drinkingThere are three main classifications of drinking. These are heavy drinking, moderate drinking, and binge drinking.According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:Heavy alcohol use means men consuming more than four drinks on any given day, or more than 14 drinks per week, and women consuming more than three drinks on any given day, or more than seven drinks per week.Binge drinking means men consuming five or more drinks in about 2 hours and women consuming four or more drinks in about 2 hours.Moderate drinking means men consuming two drinks or fewer per day and women consuming one drink or fewer per day.Recent data suggest that moderate and heavy drinking contributes to high blood pressure in men and women. One recent study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that in 17,059 participants, those who drank moderately and those who drank heavily were both at significantly higher risk of high blood pressure than those who never drank.Another study, this time in the Journal of the American Heart Association, indicates that binge drinking increases blood pressure levels in men but not women. Despite this finding, women should try not to engage in binge drinking.Other risks of alcohol useAlcohol increases the risk of several other short- and long-term health issues.Some short-term risks include:alcohol poisoningengaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as having sex without using a condombodily injuryirregular breathinghypothermiablackoutsmemory issuesslurred speechSome long-term risks include:liver disease and liver failuremental health issues, such as depression or anxietyalcohol addictiona weakened immune systemcardiovascular diseases, such as stroke or an irregular heartbeatcancerinfertilitymalnutritionweight gaindecreased bone densityhigher blood sugar levelsHealth benefits of avoiding alcoholCompletely refraining from consuming alcohol lowers the risk of some of the health risks listed above. Although some of those effects can occur without alcohol consumption, avoiding alcohol helps decrease the risks.Individuals who drink alcohol in excess can help improve their overall health by stopping drinking. For some people, this can be an easy process.However, people who are dependent on alcohol or have been misusing alcohol for a long period of time may have difficulty quitting.Some of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal include:shakinessanxietyheadachesirritabilitydepressiontremorsa fast heart ratesweatingIndividuals who do not experience withdrawal symptoms will likely see the positive effects of giving up alcohol shortly after doing so. Some of the beneficial effects of avoiding alcohol include:weight lossmore energybetter sleepa lower risk of various conditionsIf a person thinks that they might be consuming alcohol at a rate that would classify as moderate drinking, heavy drinking, or binge drinking, they should consider cutting back to improve their overall health and well-being.SummaryConsuming alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other metabolic conditions in several ways. For example, alcohol can affect calcium levels, cortisol levels, and baroreceptor sensitivity, all of which can lead to increases in blood pressure.To prevent various health complications, including high blood pressure, people should try to limit their alcohol consumption to one or two glasses infrequently.If a person has concerns that they or someone they know might have a dependency on alcohol, they should seek professional advice and support as soon as they can. Last medically reviewed on  September 14, 2021HypertensionAlcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsBlood / HematologyMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA — Written by Christine Richardson on September 14, 2021Latest newsDoes diet influence cervical cancer risk?Vitamin D supplements, heart health, and cancer riskPredicting Alzheimer’s risk: Why cognitive testing alone may not workCommon cold may protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and lead the way to new vaccinesDeltacron: New variant or laboratory error?Related CoverageSigns of alcohol withdrawal syndromeMedically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the cluster of symptoms that may develop when someone who is alcohol dependent suddenly stops drinking. 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