Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Lead To High Blood Pressure

As little as 1 drink a day could lead to high blood pressure, a new study claims. The study looked at 17,000 U.S. adults and found that those who had moderate alcohol consumption (7 to 13 drinks weekly) were over twice as likely to experience stage 2 hypertension (systolic pressure of 140mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90mm Hg or higher) and 1.5 times more likely to experience stage 1 hypertension (systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89mm Hg) when compared to those who don’t drink. American College of Cardiology

→Takeaway:While past research showed that moderate alcohol consumption could help protect against heart disease, recent research shows quite the opposite: a 2018 study – including data from 600,000 current drinkers showed that 5+ alcoholic drinks weekly raises the risk of stroke, heart disease, and aneurysms and can lead to premature death. Cardiologists now recommend that those who consume alcohol weekly, even in moderation, should ask their healthcare providers to conduct regular blood pressure checks. And for those who are moderate to heavy drinkers, cutting back on alcohol consumption could be an important step to better health and a longer life.