Alcohol increases blood pressure and should be avoided or limited to reduce high blood pressure.
Drinking heavily may increase blood pressure and the risk of stroke and can interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medicines.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. That means no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition |
| Last Updated | April 24, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise