High Blood Pressure and Alcohol
Is It Okay for High Blood Pressure Sufferers to Drink?
Individuals with high blood pressure are often instructed to abstain from consuming alcohol because alcohol can increase blood pressure. New research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that this advice might not be necessary for men who suffer from high blood pressure.
Moderation is Key
For men who drink alcohol in moderation, it might not even be necessary to abstain from drinking. The study has found that drinking alcohol in moderation will not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Moderation can be defined differently depending on who you ask, but essentially one or two drinks a day was not shown to negatively affect men who have high blood pressure. This can be good news for male high blood pressure sufferers who also enjoy the occasional drink.
Not An All-Access Excuse
The study is certainly not a reason to begin drinking. If you don’t already drink or enjoy alcohol, it’s not a good idea to start. For those males with high blood pressure who have enjoyed a few drinks but have been forgoing them due to concern about being at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, they will likely be glad to know that enjoying a few drinks won’t be detrimental. It’s always best to check with your doctor first so that he can advice you about whether or not you can safely consume alcohol moderately and whether or not it will interfere with the specific medication that you take.
Peer Pressure?
Most individuals who suffer from high blood pressure are adults, so they’ve reached a point in their lives where they know it is not necessary to drink to “fit in.” If, however, you feel compelled to “drink” in a social setting, you can always hold a drink and take a few sips to avoid having to respond to questions about why you aren’t drinking. The main concern is you do whatever is necessary and you are your doctor have discussed is important for keeping your high blood pressure under control.