Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure?

Drinking alcohol is very common in the UK. The most recent results from the Health Survey for England found that more than four-fifths of adults reported drinking alcohol over the previous 12 months.

Drinking is often seen as harmless fun and part of the culture. For many people who drink moderately, the risks are minimal. Alcohol consumption can often increase over time, though, and excessive or regular drinking can affect physical and mental health in a number of different ways.

But can drinking alcohol raise blood pressure? Find out in this article.

Alcohol and Its Impact on Health

It’s worth noting that there is no absolutely safe level of drinking, but the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines for lower risk drinking say you shouldn’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. According to the Health Survey, a third (32%) of men and 15% of women report drinking more than this. There is also a tendency to downplay alcohol consumption, so the true figures could be far higher.

Drinking excessively can be very harmful. In fact, alcohol is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health, and disability among 15 to 49-year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages. It is known to be a causal factor in more than 200 diseases and health conditions, including high blood pressure.

How Alcohol Affects the Body

Many of us enjoy the occasional tipple. Drinking alcohol in moderation can produce pleasurable sensations, but the fact remains that alcohol is essentially a poison. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says alcohol is ‘a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago’.

The most obvious effect alcohol has is on the brain, causing intoxication as it affects communication pathways and other functions. Long-term drinking can also cause long-term effects on brain functionality.

But alcohol can also affect almost every part of the body, not just better-known effects like putting extra strain on the liver, but also the gut, pancreas, lungs, the immune system, the cardiovascular system and more.

Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure?

Many different studies have established the association between high alcohol consumption and hypertension or high blood pressure. The exact mechanisms by which alcohol raises blood pressure can vary and are still not fully understood, but they could include an effect on the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), an increase in plasma cortisol levels and a reduction in baroreceptor sensitivity.

The British Heart Foundation simplifies the science by explaining that alcohol stimulates the nervous system, increasing the heart rate and narrowing blood vessels. This leads to a short-term rise in blood pressure. It adds that regular heavy drinking can prevent receptors in the brain that help regulate blood pressure from working properly. This stops your body from responding to changes in blood pressure and can lead to long-term high blood pressure.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Impact on Blood Pressure

Short-term effects of drinking on blood pressure can include heightened heart rate, a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, headaches and blurred vision. These will usually pass within a couple of hours but heavier drinking can produce more sustained effects.

Some studies also suggest that heavy drinking can produce a more complex ‘biphasic’ effect, which sees blood pressure lower for the first few hours (up to 12 hours after consumption) and then to become raised after that. Temporary low blood pressure can cause effects including dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, weakness and fainting – some of which may blend in with the general effects of intoxication.

Over the longer term, regular heavy drinking can cause long-term raised blood pressure or hypertension. Raised blood pressure does not tend to produce symptoms in and of itself but can raise the risk of some often very serious conditions, including heart attack and stroke.

Who Is Most at Risk of Alcohol-Induced Hypertension?

The more you drink, the more at risk you are of a number of different health conditions, including raised blood pressure or alcohol-induced hypertension. Chronic heavy drinkers or binge drinkers are at increased risk, but studies have also found other factors, such as sex and ethnicity, can play a role.

Factors include:

• Age: Older drinkers show higher levels of hypertension
• Sex: Some studies show men may have an increased risk at moderate drinking levels, while women’s risk is more pronounced at higher levels.
• Genetic factors: Some people may be more predisposed to alcohol-induced hypertension
• Pre-existing health conditions: Such as kidney disease and diabetes
• Lifestyle choices: Such as exercise levels and diet

Other Health Risks Linked With Alcohol and High Blood Pressure

While high blood pressure itself does not exhibit symptoms, it is often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ and can lead to other serious health conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Vascular dementia

When to Seek Help for Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol consumption can often increase gradually, often without the drinker realising there is a problem. Some signs to look out for include regular drinking, difficulty in cutting down, anxiety over not being able to drink and continuing to drink despite negative consequences.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties related to alcohol, it is always best to seek professional help.

Treatment and Support at Addiction Advocates

Addiction Advocates can support people with alcohol issues by providing compassionate and confidential care. This could involve supervised detox, therapy and holistic rehab programmes designed to address every aspect of problem drinking and addiction. This would include a range of therapies aimed at tackling the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction, as well as the root causes of alcohol misuse.

Protecting Your Health and Future

Regular heavy drinking can lead to raised blood pressure, but can also impact your physical and mental health in many other ways.

If you’re worried about how alcohol is affecting your health, reach out to Addiction Advocates today for confidential advice and tailored treatment options.