Alcohol
and High Blood Pressure: Drink Responsibly
Alcohol is often associated with fun times, parties, and the
"good life." Drinking alcohol can be quite enjoyable, especially if
you're with friends on Friday nights. A glass of wine, or a
couple of beers can be a great way to unwind at the end of a long week,
while enjoying the company of loved ones. But if you have high
blood pressure, your doctor may be very concerned. Alcohol and high
blood pressure are not friends. If you have hypertension, you
should ask your doctor if you can drink alcohol. He or she may say it's
not a good idea. Alcohol and high
blood pressure is a very serious issue especially when you are
prescribed
medication for hypertension. Alcohol does not mix with many
medications. You need to ask your physician if drinking will be a
problem. Depending on your medication(s), if your
doctor understands you are accustomed to having a glass of
wine on occasion and
your high blood pressure is well controlled she may allow
you moderate consumption. But if your doctor
determines that alcohol and your high blood pressure medication
don’t mix, then please listen to your doctor. There
are studies that say that alcohol, particularly red
wine, can actually have protective health effects for your
cardiovascular system. This protective effect has been
attributed to antioxidants present in the skin and seeds of red wine
grapes. Scientists believe these antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce
the risk of coronary heart disease in three ways:
- by reducing production of low density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol (widely known as the "bad" cholesterol);
- by
boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good
cholesterol);
- by reducing blood clotting. And,
drinking a glass of wine with a meal may improve your lipid profiles
following that meal.
Now, this is not
your cue to start binge drinking. It's been reported that
binge drinkers have higher mortality rates than those who drink
moderately on a regular basis. In the case of alcohol and
high blood pressure, more is definitely not better. But one or two
drinks have been reported to have positive effects on lowering
your blood pressure. Harvard researchers
named moderate alcohol consumption as one of
the eight proven
ways to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. When
it comes to alcohol and high blood pressure, however, always ask your
doctor what you should and shouldn’t do. Then, heed his
advice. If you have uncontrolled hypertension, do not drink.
Don’t take your health into your own
hands. If you have high blood pressure and are able to drink
alcohol, do so in moderation. The American Heart Association
defines moderation as no more than two drinks per day for men and one
drink per day for women.. The Association further cautions that people
should NOT start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol. |
