How alcohol affects blood pressure and the heart

Alcohol can damage the heart or interfere with the way it works.

This can happen if you drink:

• a lot of alcohol over a long time
• too much on a single occasion

This can cause problems, including:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• increased risk of strokes
• cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of the heart muscle)
• arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)

High blood pressure (hypertension)

High blood pressure is the most common alcohol-related health problem. It is also called hypertension. Many people do not realise they have it.

Drinking a lot of alcohol can affect the muscles in your blood vessels. This can cause them to become narrower.

When your blood vessels narrow, your heart has to work harder to push blood around your body. This makes your blood pressure go up.

The more alcohol you drink, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure. If you drink regularly you are at risk, especially if you’re over age 35. One drink a day can increase the risk.

High blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of:

• stroke
• heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• vascular dementia - caused by not enough blood being able to get to the brain

Reduce your risk of hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most preventable alcohol-related problems. Drinking less alcohol lowers your blood pressure.

Reducing the amount you drink can help you lose weight. This is also good for heart health.

Hypertension causes problems if you do not get treatment. Get your blood pressure checked regularly so that you can get treatment if you need it.

Your GP or pharmacist can check your blood pressure.

Benefits of cutting down or giving up alcohol

Stroke

A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off by a blockage or a ruptured blood vessel.

Heavy alcohol use and binge drinking are linked to an increased risk of stroke.

Alcohol also causes other problems that can lead to strokes.

For example:

• high blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• weakened heart muscle

Recognising the signs of a stroke

Cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of the heart muscle)

Long-term heavy drinking can cause the heart muscles to weaken. This is called alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

If your heart muscle is droopy and stretched, it cannot pump blood around your body very well. If the blood flow to other parts of your body is not enough, it can damage organs and tissues.

It can also cause symptoms such as:

• breathing difficulties
• extreme tiredness
• swollen legs and feet
• irregular heartbeat
• heart failure

Arrhythmias (irregular heart beat)

Binge drinking and high-risk drinking over a long time can affect how quick your heart beats.

Alcohol can make the heart beat too quickly, or irregularly. Heart rhythm problems are called arrhythmias.