Alcohol Induced Hypertension Theories
Renin
Alcohol intake increases renin, causing blood vessels to constrict, resulting in high blood pressure [2].
Renin activity tests have been proven to indicate high blood pressure and are recommended by healthcare professionals [3].
Vasopressin & Alcohol As A Diuretic
Alcohol consumption decreases levels of vasopressin, exacerbating the diuretic effect of alcohol, leading to high blood pressure [4].
Vasopressin tests in the kidneys are a proven indicator of high blood pressure [5].
Cortisol
Increased cortisol levels from alcohol intake releases catecholamines, causing more fluids in the body, that increase blood pressure [6].
Baroreceptors
Alcohol consumption decreases baroreceptors' ability to regulate blood pressure, causing greater risk of hypertension [7].
Additional Risks As A Result Of Alcohol Induced Hypertension
Health Conditions
Alcohol induced hypertension causes:
Disability
Men who binge drink having a 12 fold chance of a stroke due to hypertension, leading to disability in 50% of stroke survivors [9] [10].
Cardiovascular Mortality
Men with a severe alcoholic hypertension have a 12 fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality [11].
Groups At Risk Of Developing Alcohol Related Hypertension
Those Who Drink Alcohol Without Food
Those who regularly drink alcohol without eating, have a 64% higher chance of developing alcoholic hypertension [12].
Obesity
Those suffering with obesity have a 3.5 fold increased risk of alcohol related hypertension compared with those of a normal weight [13].
Age
There is an increase in blood pressure levels of older adults, specifically between 40-59 [14].
Gender
Men have a 95% increased risk of alcohol related hypertension with light to moderate alcohol consumption [15].
Hypertension Triggered By Specific Alcohol Intake Levels
The safe level to consume alcohol without increasing blood pressure is less than 3 drinks in one sitting [20].
Intake Level | 6 Hours After Drink | 12 Hours After Drink |
|---|---|---|
<14 g | No effect | No effect |
14-28 g | Decreased Blood Pressure 5.6 mmHg | Normalised |
Over 30 g | Decreased Blood Pressure 3.7 mmHg | Increased Blood Pressure 3.7 mmHg [21] |
Hypertension Triggered By Specific Drinking Patterns
Header | Casual Drinking | Binge Drinking | Chronic Alcoholism |
|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Hypertension | 1.5 times increased risk | 1.5 times increased risk | 2.5 times increased risk |
Stage 2 Hypertension | 2 times increased risk | 2 times increased risk | 2.5 times increased risk [22] |
Hypertension Triggered By Other Factors
Family History of Addiction
Combining drinking too much alcohol with a family history of addiction means that children of alcoholics are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics, begin drinking at a young age and develop side effects such as hypertension as a result of alcohol addiction [23].
A family history of alcoholism and hypertension has a co morbidity of 3.5% [24].
Smoking
Smoking causes a 2 to 3 fold increase in alcoholic hypertension [25].
Diabetes
The risk of alcoholic hypertension increases 50% in diabetes sufferers [26].
Alcohol & Blood Pressure Medication
Blood pressure medications combined with drinking alcohol lowers blood pressure by up to 3.7%, and leads to side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or fainting [27] [28].
The risks of interactions increase due to:
Precautions that those taking blood pressure medications should consider when drinking alcohol are:
When It Looks Like Alcohol Induced Hypertension, But Isn't
Reasons symptoms may present as alcohol induced hypertension, when in fact the hypertension is not caused by alcohol, are:
In order to rule out alcohol induced hypertension, clinicians should:
