Several studies have found that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. In fact, research shows that heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by 2 to 4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) by 1 to 2 mm Hg.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation. Moderate drinking is generally considered 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. A drink is defined as 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Keep in mind that alcohol contains calories and may contribute to unwanted weight gain — a risk factor for high blood pressure. Also, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness and increase the side effects of some blood pressure medications.

Answered by Vikas Mor , an ibibo Citizen, at 4:09 PM on October 12, 2008

rinku!
Excessive alcohol use can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure by two to four points and their diastolic pressure by one to two points.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. Moderate drinking is two drinks a day if you're a man younger than age 65 or one drink a day if you're a woman or older than age 65. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of 100-proof whiskey.

Keep in mind that alcoholic drinks are often high in calories and may contribute to unwanted weight gain. Also, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications and increase their side effects.

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 3:05 PM on September 27, 2008

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure in those with hypertension or cause a person with normal blood pressure to develop the condition. In general, one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men is okay. Alcohol and blood pressure medication can combine to increase side effects and alter the effectiveness of the medicine.
Often, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) wonder if drinking alcohol will affect their condition. In many cases, drinking alcohol is fine for someone with high blood pressure -- but in moderation. In fact, moderate amounts of alcohol have actually been shown to help protect against heart disease and stroke.
It's important to remember that drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure even more in those with already high blood pressure or can cause a person with normal blood pressure to develop high blood pressure. Drinking too much alcohol also can harm the:
•Liver
•Heart
•Brain.
SOURCE SITE :
http://blood-pressure.emedtv.c om/high-blood-pressure/alcohol -and-blood-pressure.html

Answered by Sanya Tahir , an ibibo Master, at 10:35 AM on September 27, 2008

drinking large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis is linked to high blood pressure and can lead to hypertension. Studies also show that alcohol consumption might be responsible for up to 7 percent of all cases of high blood pressure and up to 25 percent of the cases of essential hypertension - high blood pressure with no known, specific cause.
Alcohol also stimulates the 'sympathetic' or automatic nervous system, the part of the central nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight reaction. Stimulation of this part of the nervous system results in higher blood pressure. Over short periods of time this type of stimulation and blood pressure rise produces no serious problems. The brain uses this type of nervous system stimulation to prepare for all sorts of unfamiliar or potentially scary events. However, like most things in life, long term abuses of this automatic system with drugs or alcohol will lead to many health problems including hypertension.

Answered by pankaj , an ibibo Advisor, at 10:15 AM on September 27, 2008

Excessive alcohol use can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure by two to four points and their diastolic pressure by one to two points.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. Moderate drinking is two drinks a day if you're a man younger than age 65 or one drink a day if you're a woman or older than age 65. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of 100-proof whiskey.

Keep in mind that alcoholic drinks are often high in calories and may contribute to unwanted weight gain. Also, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications and increase their side effects.

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 7:41 PM on September 26, 2008

Yes, it can raise BP to unhealthy levels. IF you have high BP, it is better to avoid drinking alcohol.
REmember that those who don't drink alcohol have also suffered from high BP. If you area heavy drinker, the BP level will be on a slight higher than normal as an effect of alcohol..
Some other irritatns caused by alcohol-
Alcohol contains calories and lead to the development of a big paunch too. It increases the side effects of certain medicines too. So just take care and keep away or at least have reduced quantities of it.

Answered by Vida Writer , an ibibo Master, at 4:10 PM on September 25, 2008

Excessive alcohol use can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure by two to four points and their diastolic pressure by one to two points.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. Moderate drinking is two drinks a day if you're a man younger than age 65 or one drink a day if you're a woman or older than age 65. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of 100-proof whiskey.

Keep in mind that alcoholic drinks are often high in calories and may contribute to unwanted weight gain. Also, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications and increase their side effects.

visit www.revolutionhealth.co

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 1:07 PM on September 25, 2008

well, RINKU, Alcohol seems to interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize hormones, such as renin and angiotensin, which are important for maintaining blood pressure control. There is also some evidence that alcohol interferes with steroid production which is instrumental in maintaining blood pressure.
{Washington Post Health, Feb. 10, 1987}

Reduce or eliminate alcohol, as regular alcohol use correlates with elevated blood pressure. Alcohol taxes the liver and reduces the ability to detoxify blood, thus causing more oxidizing and damaging substances to remain in circulation where they can harm blood vessels. Further, if the liver is busy processing alcohol, it is less able to process fats, leading to elevated cholesterol levels. If the liver becomes congested, stagnation in the portal veins, those that deliver blood to the liver, can increase blood pressure in all other vessels downstream.
{JAMA 1985 study in Nutrition Science News, Mar. 1999}

Studies suggest that regular consumption of alcohol raises blood pressure during the hours that alcohol is not consumed, and can reduce magnesium levels which can increase blood pressure.
{U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services in their 10th Report to Congress on Alcohol and Health, 2000}

The Archives of Internal Medicine (Feb. 2001) reported that the systolic blood pressure (the higher number) is increased by intake of alcohol, while diastolic blood pressure was reduced by alcohol intake.
{nutritionnewsfocus.c om - Aug. 2001} Editor's comment: The study has limited accuracy because this survey only covered the diets of the 17,000 adults for the previous 24 hours. This is how the media can manipulate figures and report that blood pressure is reduced by the use of alcohol.

Alcohol consumption at any level tends to raise blood pressure, the effect appearing at the lowest levels of intake and increasing with the amount consumed. Considered alone, this must be presumed to increase the risk of diseases associated with raised blood pressure, such as heart attack and stroke. The consumption of alcohol can contribute to being overweight, which is a cardiovascular risk factor.
{“Alcohol and cardiovascular disease,” Heart Foundation, Oct. 2003}

For more: http://www.jrussellshealth.org /alcbpt.html

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 11:12 PM on September 24, 2008

Yes, alcohol affects our blood pressure. Alcohol contains an agent which is CNS depressent. First acohol acts as an CNS stimulant and it will rise the blood pressure. But when the amount of intake is increases, simultaneously it will reduce the activity of the nervous system. A low dose of alcohol on a regular basis helps maintaining our blood pressure but on the contrary if the dose is high, it will adversely affect leading to hypertension.

Answered by MRIDUL BORA , an ibibo Master, at 10:08 PM on September 24, 2008

ALCOHOL INCREASE BLOOD TG & LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS & THEREBY CAUSES CHD WHICH LEADS TO HYPERTENSION

Answered by Moksha G , an ibibo Master, at 7:10 PM on September 24, 2008