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Harmful Effects Of Alcohol You Don’t Know.

It is needless to mention that alcohol consumption is associated with several health complications. It affects your liver and other vital organs, including your heart, brain and memory function. Alcohol increases the risk of certain types of cancers and can further lead to addiction. The impact of alcohol on your blood pressure can also heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke.  

Let’s understand the concept of blood pressure first –

Your heart is responsible for pumping blood to the body, and this blood is transported through the arteries. To make blood circulation possible and far-reaching, some pressure is needed. Hence, the heart pumps the blood with a certain amount of pressure. Thus, the force of the heart pumps the blood is called blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

Sometimes, the symptoms of high blood pressure can go undetected. Hypertension (high blood pressure) usually goes unnoticed during regular health check-ups. A few people may, however, suffer from headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, and uneasiness.

The medically proven harmful effects of alcohol include High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum. Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick. Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Can alcohol give you high blood pressure?

Studies suggest that excessive consumption of alcohol can increase blood pressure excessively, and prolonged consumption can result in hypertension. If alcohol is consumed in higher doses, it can also lead to a stroke or heart failure. In any case, please seek medical help and do not self-medicate.

However, some people think that light to moderate consumption of alcohol can improve heart health. Reasonably moderate intake of alcohol has been shown to cause a (very slight) drop in blood pressure in women. However, the effect is most probably temporary, but the risks associated with alcohol can be long-term. These changes cannot be generalised.

When we talk about alcohol and heart health, the topic of having red wine also comes into the picture. Since red wine has antioxidants and polyphenols, its regular and light consumption can aid heart health. However, occasionally, red wine will not lower your blood pressure. Nonetheless, it is known that heavy drinkers are at a higher risk of developing hypertension or aggravating it. In such cases, the quality or type of alcohol does not make a difference and can eventually harm your body in multiple ways.

Chronic pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed and painful and stays that way for years, interfering with its ability to work properly. Heavy alcohol drinking is the single most important risk factor for chronic pancreatitis.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

In a nutshell

No health benefits of alcohol can ever outweigh the serious health risks associated with it. To get your dose of antioxidants, you have better and healthier alternatives like fresh fruits and vegetables. Similarly, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and stress management can help you improve your overall health.

If you consume alcohol occasionally/ frequently,  you can also take an Alcohol Impact Checkup or Alcohol Impact Checkup – Advanced to understand the impact of alcohol on your health.

This package provides a range of tests that can help detect adverse effects of alcohol on your health. Alcohol consumption has been linked with serious conditions like Liver disease, Obesity, Kidney failure, Cancer etc. This package tests your Liver Function, Kidney Function, Lipid Profile, HbA1c, ESR, CBC, and more to help you get an overview of your health.

For anyone who drinks alcohol, It is crucial to get yourself tested regularly to keep a check on the vital parameters. Consult a doctor to understand the safe drinking limits based on your health.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

References

  1. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/limiting-alcohol-to-manage-high-blood-pressure#:~:text=Limiting%20alcohol%20consumption%20can%20also,beer%2C%204%20oz.
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16922819/#:~:text=The%20increase%20in%20blood%20pressure,substantial%20reduction%20in%20alcohol%20intake.
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32609894/
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Understanding High Blood Pressure In Elderly Adults

Hypertension in seniors: Age brings along the freedom from many a responsibility but also carries the risk of many a chronic disease. Diabetes and  High blood pressure are the most typical concerns that plague our elderly.

Blood pressure is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of our blood vessels. A blood pressure reading is typically indicated with two numbers– the first one means the pressure of the blood when the heart is pumping (called systolic pressure) and the second number indicates the pressure in the blood  when the heart is resting between two beats (called diastolic pressure). Thus, the diastolic pressure is lower than the systolic pressure.

What Reading is Termed as High?

For an average person, a normal blood pressure reading would be 120/80, with 121-139/80-89 being prehypertension. 140/90 and anything over it is termed as high blood pressure or hypertension.

However, a slightly higher range of blood pressure (140-150/90-96) is still acceptable for older adults. This is because the blood vessels tend to stiffen with age making it indispensable to have the higher blood pressure to ensure sufficient blood supply to all the organs, specifically the heart and brain.

Effects of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be fatal and damage the brain, heart, or kidney. Quite often, people do not even know that they are suffering from high blood pressure until some significant problem with the kidney, heart, or brain crops up. Thus, high blood pressure is also called a ”silent killer.”

High blood pressure is a severe cause of concern as it can cause the optical nerve to burst, leading to blindness; kidney or heart failure can occur as the arteries bulge, especially those in the brain, legs, kidneys, and heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack.

What  are the Reasons for  High BP in Old Age?

Hypertension in seniors has many causes – being overweight, medicinal side-effects, genetic tendency, prehypertension, diabetes, sedentary life, stress can all lead to high blood pressure; however, most often the cause of high blood pressure might remain unknown.

Low blood pressure called as hypotension is equally important medically and requires medical intervention as the common signs of low blood pressure like blurry vision, confusion, dizziness, fainting are neglected and might lead to complications if left untreated.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

How to Manage High BP in Old Age?

Switching to a healthy lifestyle is the only path forward where  high blood pressure in seniors is concerned. The following changes can show positive effects

High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause these thin-walled arteries to rupture, releasing blood into the brain tissue. That’s why it’s important to check BP regularly and take medicines.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Read More: How to Control High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a chronic condition, and one has to take the medications lifelong. At the same time, it is imperative to:

Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. Take care of today and every day to avoid serious health complications later.

Also Read:  Home Remedies For High Blood Pressure

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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