Heavy drinking raises heart disease risk, and alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of liver damage, cancer, and addiction. Understanding what actually happens to the heart when drinking red wine requires looking at both the potential benefits and serious risks. The effects depend heavily on how much someone drinks, their overall health, and other lifestyle factors that play a much larger role in heart health than alcohol consumption. Some studies suggest that white wine may still help reduce the risk of heart disease, albeit to a lesser extent than red wine.

Greyling 2016 published data only

• All alcoholic beverages carry similar cardiovascular risks regardless of their antioxidant content.
• For example, white wine can interact with diuretics, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, and reduce their ability to remove excess fluid from the body.
• Drinking too much alcohol can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, and even shock.
• It’s true that alcohol, whether you have high blood pressure or not, will temporarily increase your blood pressure levels.

However, it is important to note that excessive consumption of alcohol, including wine, can have the opposite effect and raise blood pressure. Heavy drinking can contribute to weight gain, increase the risk of developing hypertension, and have detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. Individuals with high blood pressure can safely consume white wine by following a few simple guidelines.

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The authors of a 2020 review suggest that there isn’t enough evidence to say that small amounts of alcohol have a cardioprotective effect. While past research has suggested a potential benefit of regularly consuming a small amount of alcohol each day, newer research has called those findings into question and noted that more studies are still needed. Some studies suggest it may lower inflammation markers and reduce blood clotting risk.

YftachGepner 2015 published data only

Buckman 2015, Van De Borne 1997, and Fazio 2001 also reported reduced baroreflex sensitivity following alcohol consumption. Impairment of baroreflex sensitivity results in failure to sense the increase in heart rate and maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Kawano 2000 reported a reduction in plasma potassium levels Halfway house after alcohol consumption, which might provide another reason for the increase in heart rate. There is likely a dose‐response effect of alcohol on BP, as the effects of alcohol appeared to last longer with higher doses.

Characteristics of included studies ordered by study ID

Moderate drinking, as defined by the American Heart Association, is drinking up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. A “drink” typically refers to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka or whiskey. Understanding how alcohol affects blood pressure and making informed choices about your alcohol intake can reduce your risk of developing hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high.

Drinking alcohol regularly—more than one drink per day for women or two for men—can gradually lead to sustained high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It’s long been touted as “good for heart health,” but newer research suggests its benefits aren’t as great as we thought. In fact, several studies have shown that drinking red wine regularly raises blood pressure, according to an April 2023 review in Nutrients1. It’s true that alcohol, whether you have high blood pressure or not, will temporarily increase your blood pressure levels. And over time, if you drink more than one to two drinks per day, you increase does wine affect blood pressure your risk of hypertension that needs to be treated, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Because high BP often doesn’t have symptoms, you may not even realize the effect your drinking habits are having (unless you’re getting regular checkups, that is).

• White wine consumption can have both positive and negative effects on blood pressure levels, depending on the amount consumed and individual factors.
• Research has shown that moderate consumption of wine, particularly red wine, which is higher in resveratrol content, may have a modest effect in reducing blood pressure.
• Therefore, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional to determine what is best for your individual circumstances.
• Regular and heavy drinking can lead to an increase in blood pressure levels over time.

Increased Cortisol (Stress Hormone) Levels

The temporary relaxation effects some people experience do not translate to long-term cardiovascular benefits. When someone drinks red wine, their heart rate typically increases within minutes. The alcohol causes blood vessels to widen, which can lower blood pressure temporarily.

How much alcohol can you drink per day?

To lower blood pressure, consider reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity, losing weight, managing stress, and quitting smoking. These lifestyle changes can significantly improve your blood pressure levels and overall heart health. Several RCTs have reported the magnitude of effect of alcohol on blood pressure, but because those trials are small, their findings are not sufficient to justify a strong conclusion. In 2005, McFadden and colleagues conducted a systematic review of RCTs, which investigated the haemodynamic effects https://mydoggiesays.com/sober-living/alcoholism-stages-from-social-drinking-to/ of daily consumption of alcohol (McFadden 2005).