Much is known about how alcohol affects the body, but no one is sure how it elevates blood pressure. We can speculate on two possible mechanisms, however.
Some specialists believe that it directly influences the hormones that either elevate or reduce blood pressure. The hormones that elevate blood pressure are overproduced, and the organs don’t get the signal to stop. That would explain why medication does not affect alcohol-related high blood pressure. It also explains why blood pressure returns to normal when the booze stops.
Alcohol also alters the potassium-sodium-calcium-magnesium balance in the fluid within and surrounding the cells. This causes constriction of the capillaries with an increase of the peripheral resistance, and high blood pressure follows.
If you’re like Charlie, stop drinking! It’s that simple. Under any circumstances, if there’s even a hint that your elevated blood pressure is alcohol-related, stop!
Try reducing your alcohol intake to no more than a glass of wine or one mixed drink daily. But if your blood pressure remains above normal at that level, you should stop altogether.
Remember, alcohol has negative effects on your body besides high blood pressure. If it’s elevating your blood pressure, it’s reducing the quality and quantity of your life in many other ways. Only you can do anything about it; and the only thing to do is stop
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