My father is 62 years old, drinks alcohol every day, the doctor diagnosed him with high blood pressure. Does drinking alcohol affect the cardiovascular system? (Minh Kien, Ben Tre)
Reply:
A study published in PubMed in 2020 found that alcohol abuse can lead to more than 200 disorders, including high blood pressure. The study was conducted on 767 healthy men, with an average age of 33.
The results showed that people who consumed high doses of alcohol (more than 30 grams) had a 3.5 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure (pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts), a 1.9 mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure (pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes), and an increase in heart rate of 5.8 beats per minute within 6 hours. However, after 13 hours, systolic blood pressure increased to 3.7 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure increased by 2.4 mmHg, and heart rate was 2.7 beats per minute.
Sharing the same view, Professor, Dr. Robert Kloner, University of Southern California (USA), said that drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure and promote heart rhythm disorders, leading to heart failure.
In 2019, the Department of Preventive Medicine issued recommendations on alcohol consumption in Vietnam. The harmful effects of alcohol on health are mainly due to the amount of ethanol.
One unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10 grams of pure alcohol (ethanol) contained in an oral solution. The number of grams of alcohol is calculated by the formula: volume (ml) x concentration (%) x density. Pure alcohol has a density of 0.793 g/cm³ (temperature 20 degrees C).
One unit of alcohol is equal to 10g of pure alcohol, equivalent to 3/4 of a 330ml bottle or can of beer (5%), a 330ml bottle or can of alcoholic fruit juice/cider/strongbow (4.5%), a 100ml glass of wine (13.5%), a 330ml glass of draft beer (4%) or a 40ml shot of spirits (30%).
Some studies show that drinking alcohol can be beneficial for cardiovascular health, provided that the drinker is over 45 years old, has a low dose of less than 10 units of alcohol per week, and has at least two days a week without drinking at all.
However, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down brain activity. Abuse of this beverage is associated with reduced sleep quality and duration. More seriously, drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure, which can easily lead to stroke, cerebral infarction, worsen coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and dilate the heart muscle...
Many people find it difficult to abstain from alcohol completely due to the nature of work and relationships in life. But it is best for everyone to try to limit it as much as possible. If you need to use it, choose a type with an appropriate alcohol concentration, drink in moderation as recommended. You should monitor your body's indicators after drinking alcohol. People who show abnormal signs after drinking should stop using it immediately and go to a medical facility for early examination and treatment.
If your father has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, he should avoid drinking alcohol. Instead, he should switch to other heart-healthy drinks such as pomegranate juice, orange juice, green tea, and ginger tea.
Doctor Tran Thi Tra Phuong
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System
| Readers ask questions about cardiovascular disease here for doctors to answer |
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