Scientists Discover Daily Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of High Blood Pressure

Scientists from the University of Modena, Italy, have announced that daily consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of high blood pressure, even in people who do not suffer from it.

Study Analyzes Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption

The journal Hypertension notes that the researchers analyzed the health status of about 20,000 participants in this study, some of whom regularly consumed alcoholic beverages and others not.

Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure

The results showed that systolic (upper) blood pressure increased by 1.25 millimeters of mercury in participants who drank an average of 12 grams of alcohol per day. But when drinking 48 grams of alcohol per day, the level of systolic pressure increased by 4.9 millimeters of mercury.

It turned out that the level of diastolic (lower) blood pressure in these participants increased by 1.14 mmHg and 3.1 mmHg. Interestingly, this was observed only in men.

The Dangers of High Blood Pressure

It is noted that the constant high level of blood pressure damages the vessels, as over time their walls are washed out, become weak and inflexible, which can lead to their rupture and the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure, etc.

Source: newspaper.ru