Alcohol Withdrawal and Blood Pressure: What You Need To Know

Alcohol withdrawal can have many different side effects that impact your body. One side effect of alcohol withdrawal is changes to blood pressure.

This article will highlight the impact alcohol withdrawal can have on blood pressure, both high and low.

You will learn the signs and symptoms to look for, as well as how to monitor yourself in a safe manner from home. This article will also help you seek professional help for alcohol use if needed.

Key Facts

The following are key points or facts to take away from this article:

Alcohol and Blood: How alcohol use impacts your blood pressure
How to stay safe during withdrawal and when to seek emergency care
Timeline of quitting and the benefits you’ll notice with your blood pressure
Managing your blood pressure during long term recovery
How to find a treatment center near you

Nearby Alcohol Rehab Centers

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Alcohol Withdrawal & Blood Pressure: The Essentials

A doctor taking a patient's blood pressure during a checkup

Can Alcohol Raise Your Blood Pressure?

The short answer is yes; alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Those with cardiovascular disease or other health conditions may experience larger impacts on their blood pressure even with moderate alcohol use.

Chronic or heavy use of alcohol can lead to a risk of developing hypertension. If you have health concerns such as diabetes or a history of strokes, you may be more sensitive to the impact of alcohol on your blood pressure.

This can cause your blood pressure to rise when consuming moderate or heavy amounts of alcohol.

Does Alcohol Lower Your Blood Pressure?

Drinking alcohol can lead to increased blood flow, which can cause a temporary and short lived decrease in blood pressure, which is known as post drink vasodilation. This happens almost immediately as you start to consume alcohol.

Over time, this can be harmful for continued blood pressure control due to fluctuations between highs and lows.

It is also not considered a viable option or strategy for lowering your blood pressure because these fluctuations are only temporary.

Why Withdrawal Can Spike Blood Pressure

One of the dangerous side effects of withdrawing from alcohol is the spike in blood pressure.

Your body is going through autonomic hyperactivity during the early stages of withdrawal, which causes elevated blood pressure, a racing heart rate and anxiety. Withdrawal related hypertension is usually transient but can be dangerous.

In addition to withdrawal, other triggers can cause elevated blood pressure, including dehydration, poor sleep, pain, caffeine and nicotine.

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Safety During Withdrawal (What to do, When to Get Help)

Danger Signs & When to Seek Urgent Care

Withdrawing can be scary to experience. You should speak with a trained professional before you start the withdrawal process. It is important to understand danger signs and know when to seek medical care.

Some red flags include severe headache, chest pain, vision changes, confusion, seizures and a blood pressure of ≥180/120. It is equally important to monitor symptoms of hypertension because they can lead to a heart attack.

Some of these symptoms can mirror signs of withdrawal, but hypertension can cause additional concerns, such as nose bleeds, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue and palpitations.

Another major condition that can result from acute alcohol withdrawal is the risk of developing delirium tremens, also known as DTs. This causes body shakes or tremors, symptoms of psychosis and disorientation.

If you notice symptoms of hypertension or delirium tremens, call 911 or access emergency care as soon as possible.

Home Monitoring & Safety Plan (Including When Detox is Needed)

If you are monitoring your detox or withdrawal symptoms from home, it is important to check your blood pressure correctly. Make sure you are seated with your back supported and use the right size cuff.

It is important to log it twice a day in a journal or in the notes app on your smartphone.

Additionally, it is important to avoid caffeine and nicotine for at least 30-60 minutes prior.

If you have a history of severe withdrawal, high baseline blood pressure, limited support or major comorbidities, you might need to receive medical detox to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

Home detox should only be performed after speaking with a trained professional to determine if it is safe and to create a withdrawal plan.

Timeline: Blood Pressure During & After Quitting Alcohol

First 72 Hours: What BP Swings to Expect

The first 72 hours are known as the peak withdrawal window. You could experience fluctuating blood pressure, tremors, anxiety and insomnia. These symptoms typically occur 24-72 hours after you quit drinking. During this phase, it is important to stay hydrated, rest and have scheduled checks to monitor your blood pressure.

If your blood pressure readings are abnormal or your symptoms worsen, seek medical care. Consider having a friend or family member stay with you during this period to help monitor symptoms and help you seek emergency care if needed.

Blood Pressure After Quitting Alcohol (Week 1–4 and Beyond)

Many people notice improvements in blood pressure within the first week and start to feel their symptoms getting better, though responses will vary. If you are a heavy drinker, improvements are typically seen within 2-4 weeks.

Beyond the stabilization phase, there is an advantage to abstaining from alcohol use. Not only does it help with blood pressure reduction, but it can also help with any cardiovascular risks that you might experience.

It is important to remember that abstinence is the best option for blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.

Does Quitting Alcohol Lower Blood Pressure?

A doctor speaks with a patient during a withdrawal assessment

What the Evidence Shows & How Long it Takes

Reducing or stopping alcohol use lowers blood pressure in a dose dependent manner. If you stop drinking altogether, you might notice a lower blood pressure faster than someone who reduces their drinking.

However, the biggest effect has been shown in those with heavy use. Many people will see improvements within weeks. Assessment of your blood pressure should be done at different times each day to ensure an accurate average of what your blood pressure is.

What Affects Your Results

Several factors can influence your blood pressure, especially in alcohol withdrawal. It is important to gather a baseline reading before starting the withdrawal process to adequately monitor for changes.

Other factors that can impact your blood pressure include your sodium intake, weight, medication usage, sleep quality and your level of physical activity.

It is important to coordinate with a medical prescriber to make any medication adjustments that might be needed as blood pressure readings improve.

Call A Treatment Provider

For a conversation about what treatment options are available to you.

Make a Call

800-985-8516

Long Term BP Management in Recovery

The Lifestyle Stack + Follow-Up Plan

In addition to abstaining from alcohol use, lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on your blood pressure and your overall health.

For example:

Try different eating habits, such as the DASH method. This includes eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and lean protein.
- This method of eating has been known to lower blood pressure and improve overall health.
Try engaging in aerobics, resistance or other forms of physical activity.
You might also want to set healthy weight goals for yourself.
Limit your sodium intake to <1,500-2,300 mg/day.
Continue to abstain from alcohol use or have medically appropriate limits.
Schedule follow ups with your medical providers and continue with your at home blood pressure logs.

Alcohol & Blood Pressure FAQs

Can Alcohol Raise Your Blood Pressure?

Yes, alcohol use can raise your blood pressure. This happens due to sympathetic stimulation. It is also connected to vascular and hormonal changes. There are more risks associated with higher levels of alcohol use.

It is best to limit or avoid alcohol use altogether for ultimate blood pressure control. If you have other health issues in addition to blood pressure problems, using alcohol can make them worse.

Does Alcohol Lower Your Blood pressure?

It can lower your blood pressure, but it is only for a moment after a drink.

This is not a safe or recommended method of lowering blood pressure. Long term use of alcohol can raise your blood pressure and put you at risk of developing other medical issues. Drinking alcohol to lower blood pressure is not a recommended strategy for the treatment of hypertension.

Blood Pressure After Quitting Alcohol. What’s Typical?

Within the first week, many will start to notice a difference.

However, most people, especially those with heavy alcohol use, will start to notice a change within 2-4 weeks. To help keep track of your progress, it is considered best practice to keep a log and share patterns with your clinician to help guide medication decisions.

Does Quitting Alcohol Lower Blood Pressure if I’m Already on BP Meds?

Oftentimes, your blood pressure will improve when you stop drinking.

If you take any blood pressure medications, it is important to have your blood pressure monitored for changes and have a medical provider evaluate your condition before making any dose adjustments. Never change your medications without first consulting with your doctor.

Find Treatment Near You

If you are dealing with an alcohol use disorder, you might want to consider treatment. You can find treatment centers at Rehab.com that best fit your needs.

There, you can investigate:

Programs that is in your desired location.
Programs with your needed level of care.
Programs with any special programs that you might be interested in.

Always check with a trained healthcare professional before attempting at home detox, depending on your circumstances, a supervised medical detox may be necessary.

Not sure where to start? Call 800-985-8516 ( Sponsored Helpline ) today to talk to someone about your treatment options and see if your insurance will cover rehab.

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