While it is important to eat healthy, exercise regularly and manage stress in order to control blood pressure, it is also necessary to watch alcohol intake. Consuming too much alcohol is linked with higher blood pressure. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure or if trying to prevent it, the first step is to speak with a health care provider about making healthy lifestyle choices, including how much alcohol intake is safe.
Identification
As the heart muscle pumps blood through the body, the blood pushes against the blood vessel walls and blood pressure is a measure of this force. Blood pressure is recorded as a fraction. The top or systolic number represents the force produced as the heart contracts. The bottom or diastolic number is the force produced when the heart is at rest. Several factors such as damage to the blood vessels from smoking, being overweight, coronary artery disease, fluid retention and too much alcohol intake, can all increase the pressure against the blood vessel walls. This in turn leads to a rise in blood pressure, states the Texas Heart Institute. High blood pressure left untreated can lead to a heart attack, stroke, heart failure and many other complications. High blood pressure can exist without ever causing symptoms, so it is important to check it regularly and try to keep it at 120/80 mm Hg or lower.
Considerations
Alcohol contains a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain if too much is consumed. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure. In addition, according to MayoClinic.com, alcohol is known to hinder the effectiveness of many blood pressure medications. Due to both of the above, alcohol consumption can indirectly lead to an increase in blood pressure readings. To help lower the risk, alcohol should be limited to two drinks a day for men younger than age 65, one drink a day for men age 65 and older and one drink a day for women of any age.
Features
Once alcohol consumption reaches three drinks a day or more or when binge drinking, the risk of developing high blood pressure rises. While the exact mechanisms are not well understood, it appears that heavy alcohol consumption hinders blood from reaching the heart muscle, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. When enough blood does not reach the heart, the heart pumps even harder, which places more pressure against blood vessel walls and raises blood pressure readings. However, as soon as alcohol consumption is lowered, blood pressure usually lowers as well.
Warnings
Long-term alcohol use can lead to scarring and injury to the liver, which is called cirrhosis. When cirrhosis occurs, the liver may not be able to get all of the blood it needs. This can lead to an increase in pressure in this artery, which is called portal hypertension warns the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition, the blood that can not reach the liver may be rerouted to other areas of the body, which can increase the pressure in other blood vessels as well. Since there is no cure for cirrhosis, treatments such as medication and surgery are tried to prevent further damage.
