In the old days, Scottish monks strengthened their strength with small portions of whiskey. Alcohol made it easier to endure harsh winters, cope with joint pain due to the eternal dampness of the monastery walls, and digest rough food. Modern scientists confirm: a dose of 20–30 g of strong drink really has a healing effect. It is especially interesting to see how whiskey affects blood pressure.
Mechanism of action. Once in the blood, the ethanol contained in whiskey dilates blood vessels. The drink acts very quickly, so blood pressure drops within 5-10 minutes after drinking alcohol. It has been experimentally proven that 50–70 g of whiskey lowers blood pressure by 20 mmHg.
But this does not mean at all that with an increase in the dose of alcohol, the pressure will continue to decrease. On the contrary, if you cross the threshold of 70 g of whiskey, then after 30 - 40 minutes your blood pressure will begin to rise. And if you drink 50–70 g daily, the body will get used to it, and over time the pressure will drop less and less. That is, whiskey is not suitable for constant regulation of blood pressure.
The effect of the drink largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body. So, for some, after the first sip of the drink, the pressure rises.
Content:
- The influence of alcohol on indicators
- For hypertension
- At low pressure
- Related factors
- Possible consequences
- Compatibility of alcohol and antihypertensive drugs
- How to stop a rise
The most frequently asked questions to narcologists are whether alcohol increases or decreases blood pressure, and how alcohol affects existing hypertension or hypotension. The widespread belief that under the influence of ethanol blood vessels dilate, helping to normalize blood pressure, is incorrect. Conducted research and collection of statistical data indicate that in most cases of alcohol dependence, hypertension is diagnosed. A trend is also observed in people who regularly drink alcoholic beverages.
What to do if your blood pressure rises after whiskey
Many people are familiar with the situation when, after a heavy meal, their blood pressure suddenly rises significantly. It is advisable to avoid taking hypertensive medications, since blood pressure medications and alcohol are very poorly compatible. But if the tonometer shows numbers above 180 to 100, you should immediately call an ambulance or consult your doctor, who will tell you what medicine you can take to lower your blood pressure.
Do you think whiskey raises blood pressure or lowers it? How do you feel after drinking this drink?
The influence of alcohol on indicators
To understand the issue, consider the effect of ethanol on blood vessels. In a healthy person, small doses lead to a slight decrease in blood pressure. The effect is due to the toxic effect on the neurons of the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata, which is responsible for the tone of arteries, veins and capillaries. Temporary relaxation of the vascular walls occurs, thereby increasing the internal lumen. The action is felt as a general relaxation, a spreading of warmth throughout the body.
When drinking a large volume, the opposite reaction develops, causing vasospasm. The vascular lumen sharply narrows, blood flow slows down, accumulating in certain zones, and a sharp increase in indicators is observed. An addict or drinker with a history of hypertension may develop a hypertensive crisis. With systematic abuse, unexpected changes are likely.
For hypertension
In case of illness, alcohol causes jumps up to critical levels. The mechanism is as follows: relaxation is followed by a sharp spasm and the release of stress hormones into the blood. The heart rate accelerates, the organ pumps blood faster, thereby raising blood pressure.
Frequent consumption, especially in large quantities, is strictly contraindicated for hypertensive patients. Changes in blood flow caused by periodic relaxation and spasms worsen the condition of the body. Lack of oxygen and nutrients has a detrimental effect on health.
This is especially noticeable in people suffering from alcoholism, when there is a lack of vitamins and minerals. Not only does the risk of cardiovascular pathologies increase, but also premature wear and tear of the entire system.
Side effects
Citramon for high or low blood pressure is prescribed without a prescription; it can be bought at any pharmacy. Despite its harmless composition, it has side effects.
Citramon side effects
A person may notice the following conditions:
- If there is an overdose, then dyspeptic disorders appear: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea.
- The composition contains acetylsalicylic acid, which has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Therefore, when using Citramon, pain, abdominal discomfort, and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract may appear.
- The appearance of nosebleeds or stomach bleeding. If bleeding is minimal, you should stop taking the drug and use a hemostatic agent. If there is massive blood loss and the condition worsens, you should urgently call an ambulance.
- Large dosages of Citramon with long-term use have a negative effect on the liver. One of the substances of this drug (paracetamol) has a hepatotoxic effect. At a moderate dosage, the drug does not have a negative effect on the body.
At low pressure
With hypotension, the walls of blood vessels are dilated and are in a state of decreased tone. Under the influence of small doses of ethyl alcohol, the muscles of the vascular walls relax even more, thereby reducing the pressure of blood flow. The blood supply to the extremities and brain deteriorates, and the ensuing hypoxia causes drowsiness. It is for this reason that a drunk person feels numbness in his legs and dizziness.
Regular drinking leads to increased pressure and even greater stretching of the walls. The accumulation of cholesterol and changes in blood composition provoke the formation of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaques. 5-6 hours after a heavy libation, dehydration of the body occurs, hemoconcentration of the blood increases, that is, its thickening. In this regard, the formation of blood clots and the complete deterioration of blood supply, especially small capillaries, increases.
Drinking whiskey for high blood pressure
Whiskey is strictly prohibited for hypertensive patients who constantly take medications to lower blood pressure: ethanol reacts with medications, resulting in the release of strong toxins into the blood. But for those who do not take medications, 50–70 g of the drink (no more than 1–2 times a week) is even beneficial. It is believed that with high blood pressure, without much harm to yourself, you can only drink such an amount of alcohol that is guaranteed not to cause a hangover.
The maximum hangover-free dose is 1.5 ml of pure ethanol per 1 kg of person’s weight. Its volume in milliliters for whiskey of different strengths is given in the table:
| Whiskey strength, % | Human weight, kg | |||||||
| 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 | |
| 40 | 187,50 | 225,00 | 262,50 | 300,00 | 337,50 | 375,00 | 412,50 | 450,00 |
| 45 | 166,67 | 200,00 | 233,33 | 266,67 | 300,00 | 333,33 | 366,67 | 400,00 |
| 50 | 150,00 | 180,00 | 210,00 | 240,00 | 270,00 | 300,00 | 330,00 | 360,00 |
| 55 | 136,36 | 163,64 | 190,91 | 218,18 | 245,45 | 272,73 | 300,00 | 327,27 |
| 60 | 125,00 | 150,00 | 175,00 | 200,00 | 225,00 | 250,00 | 275,00 | 300,00 |
| 65 | 115,38 | 138,46 | 161,54 | 184,62 | 207,69 | 230,77 | 253,85 | 276,92 |
| 70 | 107,14 | 128,57 | 150,00 | 171,43 | 192,86 | 214,29 | 235,71 | 257,14 |
The specified amount of whiskey is not allowed to be drunk immediately, but intermittently over 4–5 hours. After such excesses, you need to abstain from alcohol for 2-3 weeks. For women (due to a slower metabolism), the hangover-free dose is reduced by 20–30%.
Related factors
In addition to the dosage, the patient’s age, existing diseases and even the type of drink are affected. Under the age of 40, changes are practically not felt even after prolonged use. Over 40 and up to 55 years, 67% of people experience symptoms of blood pressure surges. In old age, almost every person who drinks has problems with the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Existing pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, as well as the kidneys and endocrine system, greatly increase the risk of hypertension with systematic use and the presence of chronic alcoholism . Also, aggravating factors are considered to be a tendency to blood clots, elevated cholesterol levels or diabetes mellitus, intracranial hypertension.
There is an opinion that cognac relieves spasms and normalizes blood flow, but the temporary effect has already been written above. Taking wine in therapeutic doses is also not justified. Even the consumption of a small amount does not go unnoticed and causes damage to health.
It is better not to drink alcohol if you are obese and prone to swelling. This will only make the condition worse.
Is it possible to normalize low blood pressure with alcohol?
If wine and vodka products increase blood pressure, then there is an assumption that they can be used to alleviate the condition of clients with manifestations of hypotension. But even in this case, no benefit should be expected. Alcohol at low pressure can have the opposite effect, or instead of leveling off, a sharp jump upward.
The subsequent hypertensive state in hypotensive patients is much more difficult to tolerate than in patients with hypertension, and the crisis much more often ends in complications, including fatal ones. You should remember this. Vodka, cognac, wine, beer, etc. dangerous not only for hypertensive patients, but also for people with low blood pressure.
As you can see, there is no benefit from drinking alcohol. It is always more difficult for narcotics doctors to remove people suffering from hypertensive manifestations from binge drinking. Their withdrawal symptoms are always more pronounced and last longer. Therefore, people with a tendency to hypertension should avoid drinking in every possible way.
And treatment for both chronic alcoholism and the combination of this disease with diseases of the cardiovascular system should only be under the supervision of a doctor. To protect yourself from mistakes, contact our. Experienced specialists will provide you with advice on all existing issues and help you get rid of problems with addiction to psychoactive substances.
The text was checked by expert doctors: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychologist Yu.P. Baranova, L.A. Serova, a psychiatrist-narcologist.
CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER?
Consult a specialist
Or call: +7 (495) 798-30-80
Call! We work around the clock!
Possible consequences
Among the heart pathologies caused by systematic abuse, the most common are:
- chronic heart failure;
- alcoholic cardiomyopathy;
- organic and functional myocardial lesions, ischemic heart disease;
- arrhythmias.
The danger is posed by changes caused by prolonged binge drinking or a state of abstinence, during which severe complications develop.
- Ischemic strokes, accompanied by impaired cerebral circulation, leading to partial paralysis and disability.
- Arrhythmias, manifested either by a rapid heartbeat or a slowdown.
- Hypertensive or hypotensive crises are cases of sustained decrease or increase, tolerant to the action of drugs.
- Myocardial infarction, causing partial impairment or loss of pumping function.
- Transient ischemic attacks are cerebral circulatory disorders that cause neurological abnormalities: speech disorders, loss of memory or motor functions, paresis.
Alcohol increases and sometimes decreases blood pressure. In addition, it neutralizes the effects of drugs to normalize blood pressure. Because of this, during horse racing, the attack cannot be controlled with medication.
Compatibility of alcohol and antihypertensive drugs
If you are diagnosed with hypertension and take daily medications, you should stop drinking strong drinks, since ethanol reduces the effectiveness of the drugs. On rare occasions you can drink a glass of good wine.
The use of most antihypertensive drugs during or after drinking any alcoholic beverages is also prohibited. A proven medicine, when interacting with ethyl alcohol, can give an unexpected side reaction.
Carefully read the instructions for the drug for interactions, since taking certain medications together is potentially dangerous to health and life.
Whiskey cocktails for high blood pressure
For high blood pressure, it is recommended to mix whiskey with apple or birch juice or cranberry juice. Approximate proportions: for 150 – 200 ml of juice – 50 ml of whiskey. Ice is added to cocktails to taste.
Whiskey also goes well with hot or cold rooibos, especially chocolate and strawberry. If your blood pressure is high, then it is better to choose not ordinary tea for dessert, namely rooibos with a slice of lemon: it lowers blood pressure and neutralizes the effects of alcohol. Rooibos also helps the morning after a party.
Hypertensive patients should avoid tea or coffee with whiskey.
How to stop high blood pressure during abstinence
When drinking strong alcohol, sharp changes are characteristic. What to do when alcohol lowers or increases blood pressure during withdrawal:
- measure indicators;
- if a jump of more than 20% of the individual norm is detected, call emergency medical help;
- if the jump is less than 20%, you need to drink more fluid to prevent dehydration.
Taking sorbents - polysorb, enterosgel, activated carbon will help remove toxins faster.
If you have existing diseases, you should stop drinking alcohol. A timely visit to a narcologist will help with this.
Literature:
- Risk factors for arterial hypertension / V. R. Weber, B. B. Fishman; Feder. education agency, Novgorod. state University named after Yaroslav the Wise, Novgorod. scientific Center of the Northwestern Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. — St. Petersburg: Novgor. state univ., 2005 (St. Petersburg: Printing house “Science”). — 207 p.
- Hypertension. High blood pressure disease [Electronic resource]: blood pressure control, non-drug methods for treating hypertension, lowering blood pressure with the DASH diet: 12+ / P. A. Fadeev. - Moscow: Eksmo, 2014. - 430 p.
- Alcohol and arterial hypertension / Ostroumova Olga Dmitrievna, Saperova Ekaterina Vladimirovna / 2014 / Rational pharmacotherapy in cardiology.
- Changes in the daily blood pressure profile under the influence of systematic alcohol consumption / Zhirov I.V., Ogurtsov P.P., Shelepin A.A. / 2000 / Bulletin of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Series: Medicine.
