The association between alcohol consumption and elevated blood pressure was first observed among French soldiers in 1915. Today, excessive alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for hypertension and for both hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke.
Consumption of a single alcoholic drink may cause an acute rise in blood pressure that resolves within 2 hours. Clinical studies with small sample sizes of subjects have suggested that alcohol consumption over several days may cause a more sustained rise in blood pressure.
The evidence also clearly shows reducing alcohol consumption lowers blood pressure and reduces the chance of developing hypertension.
Several other biologic effects of alcohol have been suggested to contribute to the decreased incidence of IS in moderate drinkers, including elevated HDL cholesterol, lowered fibrinogen levels, impaired primary hemostasis, better endothelial function, and some anti-inflammatory actions of alcohol.
Alcohol increase the risk of hypertension
