Effect of alcohol consumption on blood pressure

The present study was performed to reveal the effect of intermittent moderate alcohol consumption on blood pressure in a patient with hypertension. It showed that occasional moderate alcohol consumption normalised blood pressure significantly within one hour in a hypertensive patient (p < 0.001). This hypotensive effect was not lasting beyond one day after alcohol intake. Previous studies revealed that continuous light or heavy drinkers had higher blood pressures than non-drinkers or intermittent light drinkers. It is concluded that light or moderate occasional alcohol intake cannot control hypertension continuously, but can only reduce blood pressure during a limited period of time. Therefore, alcohol has not to be recommended for patient with hypertension. Hypertensive patients without medical treatment should also not be regarded as normotensive when their blood pressure is measured after casual light or moderate alcohol drinking. The blood pressure should be measured while the patient is not under the effect of alcohol, otherwise a measurement shortly after alcohol consumption may cause a misleading result.