A recent study from Kaiser Permanente suggests that a simple and short-term approach to addressing alcohol use in primary care may help improve health outcomes for people with high blood pressure.
The research, published in BMJ Open, found that adults with high blood pressure who received a brief intervention (BI) for alcohol use showed improvements in both drinking habits and blood pressure levels.
A brief intervention is a short counseling session designed to help people reduce their alcohol intake to safer levels. It does not necessarily require complete abstinence from alcohol, though that may be encouraged for some individuals.
The study analyzed data from 72,929 adults with high blood pressure and 19,642 adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D)who showed signs of unhealthy alcohol use. These individuals were part of a healthcare system that included alcohol screening, intervention, and treatment referral.
The results showed that participants with high blood pressure who received BI drank slightly less alcohol—0.06 fewer drinks per drinking day and 0.30 fewer drinks per week—compared to those who did not receive the intervention.
While the reduction was small, it was strong enough to make a difference in health outcomes. At the 18-month follow-up, those who received BI were more likely to have a clinically meaningful drop in diastolic blood pressure (the lower number in a blood pressure reading).
However, the study did not find a strong link between BI and improved drinking habits or health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The Connection Between Alcohol and High Blood Pressure
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Alcohol raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels and increasing stress hormones, which force the heart to work harder. It can also lead to weight gain, another risk factor for high blood pressure.
For those taking blood pressure medication, alcohol can interfere with how well the medicine works, making it harder to control blood pressure.
However, some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption—defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men—may have some heart benefits.
Moderate alcohol intake has been linked to higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, which helps protect against heart disease. But the overall effects of alcohol on blood pressure and heart health remain complex and depend on individual health conditions.
How to Manage or Prevent High Blood Pressure
While limiting alcohol intake is one way to control high blood pressure, other lifestyle changes can also help:
- Maintain a healthy weight – Excess weight puts more strain on the heart and increases the risk of hypertension.
- Exercise regularly – Activities like walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling strengthen the heart and lower blood pressure.
- Eat a balanced diet – Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while reducing saturated fats.
- Reduce salt intake – Too much sodium raises blood pressure, so opt for low-sodium foods.
- Quit smoking – Smoking damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure, increasing heart disease risk.
- Manage stress – Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help keep stress and blood pressure under control.
- Get regular check-ups – Monitoring blood pressure helps detect changes early and allows for timely intervention.
This study highlights how small changes in drinking habits—with the help of brief interventions—can contribute to better blood pressure management. It also reinforces the importance of discussing alcohol consumption with healthcare providers, especially for those with high blood pressure or heart disease risk.
The research was conducted by Felicia W. Chi and her team and published in BMJ Open.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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