New research has uncovered that consuming just one alcoholic beverage per day can lead to a spike in blood pressure. The study, published in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Hypertension, discovered that regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed, blood pressure levels are likely to increase.
The study analyzed data from seven different studies, involving over 19,000 adults in the United States, Korea, and Japan, as reported by the AHA. The association between systolic blood pressure (the first reading on blood pressure levels) and alcohol consumption was observed even in adults without a history of hypertension.
This analysis is the first of its kind to suggest that even low levels of alcohol consumption can contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, according to the AHA.
In response to the study, the AHA reiterated its advice to limit alcohol intake. Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical contributor to Fox News and affiliated with NYU Langone Medical Center, explained the impact of alcohol on blood pressure. He stated that while alcohol initially dilates blood vessels and temporarily lowers blood pressure, it eventually increases the hormone renin, which constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. This effect is consistent regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed.
Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, expressed skepticism about the study’s findings. However, she acknowledged that the study’s results suggest there is no safe level of alcohol consumption in terms of heart health. She noted that the study included moderate to greater bias in five out of the seven studies, which may reduce the accuracy of the findings.
Dr. Johnson emphasized that high blood pressure is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, diet, weight, and activity level. While alcohol consumption is identified as a risk factor, it is not the sole determinant. She advised patients to discuss their individual risk factors for heart disease with their healthcare providers.
It is important to consider these findings and reduce alcohol intake accordingly to promote cardiovascular health.
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