High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Drink within the sensible limits

Moderate drinking – between 1 and 2 units of alcohol a day – may have a protective effect on the heart in men aged over 40 and women who have been through the menopause. One unit of alcohol equals half a pint of ordinary-strength beer, or a small glass of ordinary-strength wine, or a pub measure of spirits.

However, heavier drinking can contribute to disorders of the heart and circulation, including high blood pressure and stroke. If you have high blood pressure, you should drink less than 21 units a week if you are a man, and less than 14 units a week if you are a woman. If you drink over this limit, your systolic blood pressure is likely to increase.

Drinking within sensible limits

If you are a man with high blood pressure, drink less than 21 units of alcohol a week. If you are a woman with high blood pressure, drink less than 14 units of alcohol a week.