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Many of us have been there before: one drink after work turns into many. The next thing you know, you and your buddies are at the local bar nightly, just to blow off steam.
Unfortunately, what may seem like a harmless ritual of unwinding with a few drinks can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure. Depending on your health, age, and amount of alcohol consumption, the effects on your blood pressure can range from short-lived to serious.
So, before you sit down with your traditional two glasses of red wine or join the nightly happy hour-turned-night out, read this article where we explore the reasons alcohol may be the culprit of your high blood pressure.
Yes, alcohol can cause high blood pressure, especially with consistent or excessive consumption.
Hypertension is one of the most common alcohol-related health problems. Many people are unaware they have high blood pressure or that the condition can be caused or worsened by drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can cause the muscles in your blood vessels to narrow. This can force the heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, increasing your blood pressure.
High blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of:
If drinking alcohol is contributing to your health problems, we’re here to help. New Growth Recovery offers customized alcohol recovery treatment plans that consider your habits, traditions, attitudes, and health as they relate to your alcohol consumption. We support you from small lifestyle changes to rebuilding your mindset about alcohol. Request your confidential call today.
When activated, the sympathetic nervous system prepares us for fight or flight, using fast, electrical signals to neurotransmitters for rapid response. This short-lived response can be marked by increased heart rate, dilation of pupils, and release of adrenaline.
While alcohol is often considered a depressant, its effects on the brain and sympathetic nervous system are complex. Alcohol initially suppresses the amygdala, a brain region involved in stress response, leading to feelings of relaxation. However, the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system counteracts the relaxing effect.
Additionally, studies have revealed that after a night of binge drinking, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is increased the following morning. This activation is the cause of increased risk for stroke, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death at night and early morning.
Research has shown that alcohol can increase sympathetic activity, including the release of adrenaline, which causes increased heart rate, sweating, and blood pressure.
Alcohol can significantly impact hormone levels. Alcohol consumption disrupts the endocrine system, essential for managing hormone levels responsible for proper communication between organs, the immune and nervous system, and maintaining internal balance.
Alcohol can also interfere with hormone production in the hypothalamus, affecting FSH, estrogen, and testosterone levels, potentially leading to sexual dysfunction and other health problems, such as high blood pressure.
Particularly for those with diabetes, alcohol carries health risks, including hypoglycemia and weight gain, since calories from alcohol are stored as fat in the liver, which can potentially increase insulin resistance.
In addition to blood glucose control, cortisol has other important functions such as regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and controlling the sleep cycle. These functions can contribute to poor weight management, a known risk factor for hypertension.
Alcohol is dehydrating and can disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance, leading to fluid retention.
Alcohol inhibits the release of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) primarily involved in regulating the body's fluid balance, blood pressure, and kidney function. When vasopressin production is decreased, it can cause increased urination. This effect contributes to the diuretic and dehydration properties of alcohol, especially when consumption is excessive.
The dehydration caused by alcohol's suppression of vasopressin can contribute to hangover symptoms like thirst, headache, and fatigue. However, while initial suppression of vasopressin leads to dehydration, when hangover symptoms occur, the body can overcompensate and release more vasopressin in an attempt to restore fluid balance. The increased vasopressin helps the kidneys conserve water, leading to increased blood volume and pressure.
Research shows that alcohol can also impact blood pressure through its effect on the vascular system. The effect is dependent on the individual and the amount of alcohol consumed.
At moderate levels, alcohol can initially cause blood vessels to relax and widen, an effect called vasodilation. Vasodilation can result in redness of the skin and a temporary feeling of warmth.
At higher alcohol doses, as the body begins to process its effects on fluid and electrolyte balance and inflammation in the vascular system, a rebound effect occurs — leading to vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels.
Chronic alcohol use can lead to damaged blood vessels, making them less elastic and more prone to the buildup of arterial plaque. This inflammatory disease, known as atherosclerosis, causes deposits of fats, cholesterol, and other substances to become stuck in the artery walls and further restrict blood flow, contributing to hypertension and other cardiovascular problems.
Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a type of heart muscle disease caused by long-term, heavy alcohol consumption. This disease is characterized by a weakened and enlarged heart with an impaired pumping ability.
Hypertension may directly contribute to left ventricular dysfunction, making it less efficient at pumping blood. Over time, the main pumping chambers of the heart can dilate but struggle to contract. Therefore, the heart can't pump enough blood to the body, leading to symptoms including:
When alcohol causes vasoconstriction, it increases resistance to blood flow. This forces the heart to work harder, leading to higher blood pressure. The harder the heart must work due to the high blood pressure, the more enlarged and weakened it can become. Alcohol can damage the heart muscle, leading to ACM, while also contributing to high blood pressure by causing blood vessels to constrict and increasing the heart's workload.
Yes, strangely enough, drinking alcohol can cause high blood pressure, and so can alcohol withdrawal. After drinking routinely for weeks, months, or years, your body becomes accustomed to functioning with alcohol. When you begin alcohol rehab, your body must recalibrate and detoxify the alcohol from your system. This can trigger an array of withdrawal symptoms, including hypertension.
The good news is that high blood pressure is only a short-term symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Studies have shown that by the third day of sobriety, blood pressure was drastically reduced and normalized after 30 days.
Yes, drinking alcohol daily, even just one drink, can cause high blood pressure over time. Studies revealed that those who drank an average of 12 grams of alcohol per day, slightly less than one standard alcoholic drink, experienced elevated blood pressure by 1.25 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) in just five years compared to those who did not drink at all.
Re-evaluating your habits around alcohol can be tricky. Whether it’s family get-togethers or celebrations with friends, alcohol is a common guest of honor. However, if you are already hypertensive, cutting back on drinking can be beneficial.
Do you or a loved one have an alcohol habit you suspect may be linked to high blood pressure?
You’re not alone.
At New Growth Recovery, we understand that each person has a distinct relationship with alcohol. That’s why we offer customized alcohol day and extended-day recovery treatment plans.
Our programs provide a comprehensive approach with regular therapy sessions, counseling, and support to help individuals maintain sobriety while balancing everyday life, or for those who need more support than traditional outpatient care, but don’t require 24-hour supervision.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol addiction, help is available through our drug and alcohol rehab in Springfield, MA.
Reach out to one of our compassionate team members today.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
