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Consumption of Alcohol and Blood Pressure
Shawntelle D. Washington
South University
NSG3036: Introduction to Nursing Research
Instructor Name
June 7, 2023
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Consumption of Alcohol and Blood Pressure
Alcohol use is a common practice that has both psychological and health consequences. While
moderate use has been linked to health advantages, severe or ongoing use might have negative
consequences, including raised blood pressure levels. Hypertension, often known is an important health
problem that contributes to cardiovascular disease. Understanding the link between alcohol intake and
blood pressure is critical for guiding treatments and enhancing public health (Jung et al., 2020). The
purpose of this investigation is to look into the subject of consuming alcohol and its link to blood
pressure, highlighting the need of addressing the matter in order to obtain improved health results. This
research explores the negative effects of alcohol on hypertension, the frequency of drinking-related
elevated blood pressure, as well as the demand for backed by science therapies including public
education campaigns (Tasnim et al., 2020). Thus, this study strives to deliver significant knowledge into
the connection between alcohol intake and hypertension through reviewing the available literature,
with an eventual objective of reducing the harmful effects of excessive drinking on heart function.
Problem
High blood pressure is a global issue that influences countless people and adds significantly to
the illness strain. It significantly boosts the risk of cardiac conditions that involve CAD, ischemic attacks,
as well as heart failure. Many research efforts have demonstrated a definite correlation between heavy
drinking and high blood pressure. Alcohol can directly affect blood pressure through an assortment of
methods. It can, for illustration, boost the activity of the sympathetic nerve and induce vasoconstriction
by stimulating the breakdown of hormones related to stress. Additionally, booze can disrupt the liver's
daily functioning, leading to a rise in hypertension resulting from inadequate oxidation and the
expulsion of blood hypertension-regulating chemicals (Jung et al., 2020). Thus, examining the link
between alcohol use and hypertension is of the utmost importance for developing preventative and
therapeutic approaches.
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Too much alcohol use maintains an epidemic throughout ethnicities and ages, posing a major
risk to personal health as well as social security. Based on data from the World Health Organization,
dangerous consumption of liquor causes over 200 ailments and accidents, notably hypertension.
Alcohol-related hypertension contributes significantly to the worldwide epidemic of hypertension.
Notwithstanding the well-documented connection between alcohol intake and high blood pressure,
numerous individuals are ignorant of the possible health effects of alcohol abuse (Fuchs & Fuchs 2021).
Thus, through addressing this issue, the knowledge about the association between alcohol intake and
blood pressure among medical specialists, legislators, and the public at large will be improved,
eventually backing programs based on science and reducing the financial cost of drinking-related
hypertension.
Alcohol-related hypertension has major economic implications, including both direct medical
bills and additional expenses related to missed labor and lower quality of life. The financial strain affects
community as whole, not just particular medical facilities. I intend to accomplish various goals by
addressing the issue of drinking alcohol as well as blood pressure. To begin, the focus is to improve early
identification and monitoring for alcohol-related hypertension, so that medical personnel may recognize
persons at risk and respond as soon as possible. Additionally, the concentration is to create scientifically
proven strategies that successfully decrease alcohol intake and, as a result, levels of blood pressure
(Tasnim et al., 2020). Furthermore, the aim is to encourage people to make educated decisions about
their alcohol consumption by promoting awareness and offering education about the possibility of
health consequences. Hence, this will result in better cardiovascular results and a decrease in the cost of
booze-related conditions.
Recognizing the connection between alcohol use and blood pressure is vital for influencing
programs based on science, enhancing overall health, and lowering the cost of liquor-related
hypertension. Consequently, by addressing this issue, awareness will be increased; there will be
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enhanced diagnosis and examination, established effective therapies, as well as encouraging people to
make educated decisions about their alcohol consumption. Therefore, through this, collaboration to
improve medical results can be made while minimizing the detrimental effects of heavy drinking on high
blood pressure and heart condition.
Search Strategies
Several efficient general search tactics were used to explore the issue of alcohol use and its
influence on blood pressure. At the outset, certain keywords associated with the issue were utilized to
reduce the search outcomes and obtain relevant articles. For example, utilizing keywords like "alcohol,"
"blood pressure," "hypertension," and "effect" will help find publications that discuss the link between
alcohol intake and blood pressure. Furthermore, Boolean operators were used to further narrow the
search and investigate other facets of the topic. By combining keywords or synonyms with operators
such as "AND" and "OR," the user could extend or limit the list of results. For instance, searching for
"alcohol" AND "blood pressure" might get papers that expressly discuss both alcohol as well as blood
pressure in connection with one another (Tasnim et al., 2020). Additionally, using "OR" between terms
such as "alcohol" OR "ethanol" would, on the other hand, extend the search to encompass research that
used various terms for alcohol.
Filters were almost certainly used to narrow down the list of results according to specified
criteria. To guarantee high-quality and accurate information, the examiner may have established filters
based on the year of publication to include just recent works, or might have concentrated on particular
research types, including systematic examinations or a meta-analysis The researcher makes certain the
papers included in the study have value and match the specified criteria by using filters. Additionally,
other research databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PLOS ONE were utilized for finding a
diverse range of scholarly literature. Every database offers exposure to many journals and publications,
improving the likelihood of finding an extensive range of papers relevant to the issue (Fuchs & Fuchs
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2021). PubMed, for instance, concentrates on biomedical literature, whereas Cochrane Library
specializes on systematic examinations and meta-analyses.
In addition to the searching databases, I double-checked references. I discovered further
resources that had not originally been included in the search by reviewing the referencing lists of
pertinent publications. This technique aids in the discovery of pertinent research that may have been
omitted in the initial lookup, hence increasing the research's comprehensiveness (Santana et al., 2018).
For instance, if an article found through the original search contains pertinent references, I would look
through those citations to locate additional materials that help clarify the issue.
Level of Evidence
The selected articles give varying levels of evidence, covering everything from meta-analyses
and systematic reviews to observational research. Fuchs and Fuchs (2021) publish a review paper that
outlines known evidence on alcohol's effect on hypertension. While review articles give useful
perspectives, they are ranked lower on the proof hierarchy than primary research papers. Jung et al.
(2020) did a meta-analyses and a systematic review, both of which are regarded high levels of proof.
Meta-analyses gather and evaluate data from several research, enabling a more thorough examination
of the subject (Jung et al., 2020). Consequently, their outcomes provide significant evidence on the
association between alcohol intake and hypertension onset among Asian as well as Western men.
As part of the ELSA-Brasil investigation, Santana et al. (2018) performed an observational study
with a high sample size. Observational studies are rated as moderate on the evidence hierarchy because
they observe and evaluate relationships between factors without changing them. Nevertheless, these
studies continues to offer useful information about the relationship between alcohol uses along with
blood pressure levels. Tasnim et al. (2020) did a review of the literature, particularly a study of the
Cochrane Database. The Cochrane reviews are well known for their rigorous methodology and
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substantial amount of evidence (Tasnim et al., 2020). Therefore, Tasnim et al.'s review adds essential
proof on the influence of alcohol on blood pressure by evaluating studies with randomized control.
Vacca et al. (2023) give a detailed analysis of the complicated association between alcohol
consumption and arterial hypertension. This article is a narrative review that generates and analyses
existing evidence. While narrative reviews might provide useful insights, they are often regarded as less
on the evidence hierarchy than systematic examinations and a meta-analysis. Ultimately, the selected
papers provide evidence ranging from intermediate to high, with systematic searches, meta-analysis,
and observational research providing the most solid evidence (Vacca et al., 2023). Hence, these studies
add to our knowledge regarding the link between alcohol use and blood pressure, demonstrating both
the negative effects of excessive drinking and the possible modest advantages of moderate use.
Literature Review
A thorough investigation has been carried out on the effects of alcoholic beverages on
hypertension. Fuchs and Fuchs (2021) investigated the link between the intake of alcohol and elevated
blood pressure levels in an investigation. The examiners were interested in researching into how alcohol
alters the levels of systolic and diastolic in addition to whether it plays a part in the onset of
hypertension. The research's most noteworthy finding was the immediate impact of liquor on blood
pressure. Alcohol consumption resulted in a transitory elevation in both systolic as well as diastolic
blood pressure values, according to Fuchs and Fuchs (2021). This impact was discovered to be doserelated, with larger alcohol intake causing more dramatic blood pressure increase (Fuchs & Fuchs 2021).
Thus, these results imply that those who drink alcohol might encounter transitory variations in their
blood pressure, even after only one drink.
Furthermore, the research gave information on the cumulative impact of persistent alcohol
intake on blood pressure and hypertension progression. They discovered that heavy and sustained
alcohol use could lead to an increase of hypertension as time passes. The mechanism underlying this
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connection is thought to be complex. Chronic alcohol use can enhance the functioning of the
sympathetic nervous system, resulting in vasoconstriction and subsequent blood pressure rise (Fuchs &
Fuchs 2021). Furthermore, booze can have negative consequences on the process that modulates renin,
the angiotensin, as well as the substance that causes hypertension.
It is essential to remain cognizant that the lien between overindulgence in liquor and
hypertension is not linear. According to Fuchs and Fuchs (2021), a J-shaped curve indicates that
moderate consumption of alcohol may have a positive impact on blood pressure. When contrasted with
abstainers, medium alcohol intake, characterized by no more than two drinks daily for males and a
single drink per day for women, correlated with a somewhat reduced incidence of hypertension.
Nevertheless, it is essential to analyze these results with reservations, as excessive alcohol use might
negate any possible benefits and contribute to negative health repercussions. Consequently, the Fuchs
and Fuchs (2021) study delivers significant understanding into the link between alcohol intake and blood
pressure. The results they obtained show that alcohol has a sudden impact on blood pressure levels and
emphasize the possible long-term effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the progression of
hypertension (Fuchs & Fuchs 2021). Therefore, to achieve ideal cardiovascular wellness, people must be
mindful of the dose-related characteristics of liquor's effects on blood pressure and practice restraint in
the use of alcohol.
The influence of booze on arterial pressure, as well as the subsequent rise in hypertension, has
attracted the interest and examination by individuals. Jung et al. (2020) performed a meta-analyses and
methodical review to investigate the correlation between alcohol intake and the probability of
developing high blood pressure in Asian along with Western men. Jung et al. (2020) discovered
numerous critical discoveries on the effect of alcohol intake on hypertension development. For instance,
the authors discovered a dose-related association between greater quantities of alcohol intake and a
greater likelihood of hypertension (Jung et al., 2020). Hence, this result indicates that people who use
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greater amounts of liquor are at greater risk to acquire hypertension in comparison to those who take
less or refrain from drinking entirely.
Furthermore, Jung et al. (2020) investigated the impact of diverse drinking behaviors on
hypertension risk. They observed that excessive drinking as well as regular alcoholic beverages were
equally accompanied by a higher probability of hypertension. Binge consumption is viewed as taking a
considerable amount of alcohol in only a matter of time, whereas routine excessive drinking is defined
as consuming a great deal of alcohol on a constant basis over a prolonged period of time. In accordance
with the outcomes of this research, engaging with any of these habits of drinking may substantially raise
the possibility of getting hypertension. Moreover, the researchers assessed whether there were any
disparities in the impact of booze on hypertension in Asian as well as Western men. Their findings
revealed that Asian men were more susceptible to the hypertensive consequences of drinking than
Western males. This variance could be associated to modifications in the breakdown of alcohol,
hereditary factors, or distinctions between cultures in drinking habits between these two groups (Jung
et al., 2020). Thus, the findings highlight the need of considering ethnic and cultural aspects when
assessing the association between alcohol use and hypertension susceptibility.
Additionally, Jung et al. (2020) investigated the prospective advantages of moderately drinking
alcohol on blood pressure. Based to the scientists, moderate amounts of alcohol (one to two units per
day) did not substantially raise the likelihood of hypertension when compared to those who refrain
(Jung et al., 2020). However, it is crucial to highlight that the safeguarding effects of moderate drinking
differed amongst participants and may be affected by additional lifestyle variables.
Given the possible consequences for cardiovascular wellness, the effect of drinking alcohol on
the amount of blood pressure has been the focus of research inquiry. Santana et al. (2018) investigated
the relationship between alcohol intake and blood pressure within the framework of the ELSA-Brasil
project. The outcomes of Santana et al.'s (2018) ELSA-Brasil research offered significant clues into the
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link between the intake of alcohol and blood pressure. One notable finding was the dose dependence
association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure levels. Higher use of alcohol was
discovered to be tied to higher blood pressures, both systolic as well as diastolic (Santana et al., 2018).
Hence, this connection demonstrates that those who drink more liquor are more inclined to experience
high blood pressure. \
Furthermore, the scientists investigated the impact of various drinking habits on blood pressure.
Frequent alcoholics, defined as those who ingest more than 30 grams of beer each day, had
considerably greater blood pressure readings than irregular users or abstainers, according to the
research. The data collected indicates that prolonged consuming on a regular schedule increases the
likelihood of high blood pressure. In addition, the ELSA-Brasil study looked at how drinking alcohol
affected blood pressure in various ages. The outcomes suggested that the correlation between
consuming alcohol as well as blood pressure was stronger in adolescents than in the elderly. This
indicates that adolescents may be especially susceptible to the blood pressure-raising effects of liquor.
Furthermore, Santana et al. (2018) investigated the effect of liquor kind on blood pressure. Beer and
spirit intake was found to be related to greater levels of blood pressure than wine drinking (Santana et
al., 2018). Consequently, this shows that the type of drink that is ingested may have varied
consequences for blood pressure management.
Evaluating the effect of consuming alcohol on blood pressure is critical to comprehending health
promotion initiatives and enhancing cardiovascular health. Tasnim et al. (2020) did a meta-analysis and
systematic review to investigate the influence of alcohol on hypertension, revealing useful information
into this connection. Tasnim et al.'s (2020) Cochrane systematic literature review conclusions showed
numerous critical conclusions about the influence of alcohol on blood pressure. For instance, the study
found a clear dose dependence association, demonstrating that more alcohol consumption contributes
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to higher blood pressure readings. Tasnim and colleagues (2020). Hence, the data collected indicates
that those who use a lot of liquor have a greater probability to have high blood pressure.
In addition, the research looked at how various drinking habits affected blood pressure. In
accordance with the studies, both immediate and long-term alcohol intake lead to hypertension. Acute
alcohol consumption was observed to generate a transitory elevation in blood pressure levels, implying
that only a single instance of drinking can have direct impacts on blood pressure management (Tasnim
et al., 2020). Chronic alcohol intake, on the contrary, was linked to persistent rises in blood pressure,
highlighting the relevance of addressing permanent consumption habits when assessing the influence
on heart health.
Furthermore, Tasnim et al. (2020) investigated the possibility of variable implications of alcohol
on blood pressure across various demographics. This study found that the hyperlink between alcoholic
beverages and hypertension varies depending on variables like gender, age, and ethnicity. Younger
individuals as well as women, for illustration, have been reported to be more susceptible to the
hypertension-raising consequences associated with alcohol. The results presented highlight the need of
taking into account individual variables when assessing the effect of liquor on blood pressure. The
investigation also looked into the possibility of advantages of alcohol restriction or abstinence on blood
pressure management. According to the outcomes, lowering the amount of alcohol consumed or
refraining from alcohol completely may contribute to a reduction in blood pressure values (Tasnim et al.,
2020). Therefore, this shows that changes in behavior aimed at reducing alcohol consumption could be a
useful strategy for controlling and avoiding hypertension.
Multiple studies have been undertaken to comprehend the multidimensional complexity of the
interaction between drinking alcohol as well as high blood pressure. Vacca et al. (2023) undertook an indepth investigation to offer a full overview of the interaction between alcohol use and high blood
pressure, providing light on the intricate processes entailed. Vacca et al. (2023) offer essential
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information on the synergy between alcohol consumption and high blood pressure. The investigation
stressed the dose-specific impact of alcohol on blood pressure. In accordance to the writers, moderate
alcohol use, characterized by one to two drinks daily for males as well as one drink daily for women, may
have a minor favorable influence on blood pressure regulation (Vacca et al., 2023). Extreme
consumption of liquor, consisting of excessive intoxication or frequent drinking, can, on the other hand,
exert an adverse consequence on the control of blood pressure, increasing the probability of
hypertension.
In addition, Vacca et al. (2023) investigated the complex mechanisms fundamental the link
between alcohol use and elevated blood pressure. They focused about how liquor affects many systems
in the body, such as the system that controls renin, angiotensin, and the functioning of the sympathetic
nervous system, oxidative damage, as well as the dysfunction of endothelial cells. These processes work
together to cause vasoconstriction, salt preservation, and enhanced resistance to ischemia, which leads
to high blood pressure levels. The research additionally pointed out the relevance of hereditary variables
in establishing a connection between alcohol use and high blood pressure (Vacca et al., 2023).
Moreover, differential attitudes toward alcoholic beverages can be impacted by genetic polymorphisms
in catalysts responsible for the breakdown of alcohol, including dehydrogenase for alcohol and aldehyde
dehydrogenase.
These variations in genetics might clarify why some people are more prone to the hypertension
consequences caused by alcohol than others. The authors additionally addressed the impact of various
other variables on the connection between drinking alcohol and high blood pressure. They noted that
dietary patterns, sport participation, weight gain, and smoking habits might collaborate with alcohol use
to alter arterial pressure (Vacca et al., 2023). Thus, a high-sodium diet, for example, along with excessive
alcohol consumption, might worsen hypertension consequences.
Solutions
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Consuming liquor and hypertension is a challenging problem that necessitates a multi-pronged
response. Public knowledge and awareness initiatives are one essential answer. It is imperative for
reminding people regarding the hazards of drinking in excess and its detrimental effects on high blood
pressure. Public health officials, healthcare providers, and community groups can collaborate to create
specific advertisements emphasizing the negative consequences of alcohol on heart health (Tasnim et
al., 2020). Moreover, these efforts should include concise and precise details on the suggested drinking
restrictions, the potential repercussions of surpassing these thresholds, and the advantages of
moderation.
A further choice is to adopt rules and ordinances that limit the supply and use of alcohol.
Governments can impose stronger limits on alcoholic beverage advertising and promotional activities,
especially for adolescents. Furthermore, raising alcohol pricing and raising the minimum drinking age
could deter overindulgence (Fuchs & Fuchs 2021). These methods seek to restrict the intake of alcohol
and accessibility, lowering total consumption and, as a result, the incidence of drinking-related high
blood pressure
Additionally, medical personnel possess an important role in treating this problem. Doctors as
well as additional medical professionals should test clients for drinking alcohol on an ongoing basis and
offer suitable support and therapies for individuals who are vulnerable (Santana et al., 2018).
Implementing alcohol assessment and treatment into routine medical care allows healthcare clinicians
to swiftly recognize people who have problematic drinking habits and give the necessary assistance and
advice to assist them decrease or discontinue consuming.
Alcohol-related high blood pressure can also be treated using community-based assistance
initiatives and therapies. These programs may include peer support, psychotherapy, and therapeutic
choices for people who are addicted to booze. Individuals can obtain the assistance they require to
conquer their alcohol addiction and avoid the related health concerns, such as high blood pressure,
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through readily open and specialized assistance networks. Ultimately, it is critical to promote an ethic of
appropriate use of alcohol. Encouragement of social norms that encourage temperance and appropriate
consumption can aid in the reduction of excessive use of alcohol and its effect on high blood pressure
(Jung et al., 2020). Furthermore, peer assistance groups, workplace campaigns, as well as social
gatherings may collaborate to foster an atmosphere in which drinking responsibly is embraced and
appreciated.
Conclusion
Considerable study has been executed, with multiple findings demonstrating the negative
consequences of drinking too much alcohol on arterial blood pressure values. Vacca et al. (2023) present
a detailed analysis of the complicated association between alcohol consumption and arterial
hypertension. Additionally, the writers address different processes that explain how alcohol might affect
blood pressure, such as stress hormone activation, raised sympathetic nervous system activity, blood
flow, and functioning of the liver disturbance.
The financial implications of alcohol-related high blood pressure are substantial, including
immediate healthcare expenses as well as indirect costs owing to missed productivity and impaired
standard of life. Consequently, tackling the issue of alcohol use and its detrimental effect on blood
pressure is essential from both a medical and a financial standpoint (Vacca et al., 2023). It could be
achieved to lessen the financial burden of alcohol-associated high blood pressure and enhance cardiac
health results by enhancing early identification and assessment, establishing proven treatments, and
increasing public knowledge about the possibility of health concerns.
The purpose of the present work is to examine the issue of drinking alcohol and its connection
to hypertension. Several studies indicate that drinking in excess corresponds to hypertension and a
higher probability for developing hypertension. Nevertheless, there is proof that mild usage of alcohol
has an inhibitory impact on arterial pressure; nevertheless, this benefit may differ between people.
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Hence, by addressing this problem, generating awareness, and enacting methods based on science, it
can be accomplished to boost medical conditions and mitigate the adverse influence of excessive
amounts of booze on blood pressure.
References
Fuchs, F. D., & Fuchs, S. C. (2021). The effect of alcohol on blood pressure and hypertension. Current
Hypertension Reports, 23(10). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-021-01160-7
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Jung, M.-H., Shin, E.-S., Ihm, S.-H., Jung, J.-G., Lee, H.-Y., & Kim, C.-H. (2020). The effect of alcohol dose
on the development of hypertension in Asian and Western men: systematic review and metaanalysis. The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, 35(4), 906–916.
https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2019.016
Santana, N. M. T., Mill, J. G., Velasquez-Melendez, G., Moreira, A. D., Barreto, S. M., Viana, M. C., &
Molina, M. del C. B. (2018). Consumption of alcohol and blood pressure: Results of the ELSABrasil study. PLOS ONE, 13(1), e0190239. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190239
Tasnim, S., Tang, C., Musini, V. M., & Wright, J. M. (2020). Effect of alcohol on blood pressure. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews, 7. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012787.pub2
Vacca, A., Bulfone, L., Cicco, S., Brosolo, G., Da Porto, A., Soardo, G., Catena, C., & Sechi, L. A. (2023).
Alcohol intake and arterial hypertension: Retelling of a multifaceted story. Nutrients, 15(4), 958.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040958