Drinking Alcohol in Moderation
Hypertensive people should limit if not stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Here are some tips in minimizing alcohol intake.
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Alcohol not only tends to raise your blood pressure, it can also make your medication less effective. For this reason it is important that you only drink in moderation. Try to limit yourself to no more than two standard drinks a day if you are a woman, and no more than three standard drinks if you are a man.
Standard drink sizes are:
- glass of beer (285 ml)
- glass of wine (120 ml)
- glass of spirits (30 ml)
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Reducing the amounts you drink does not mean that you have to stop drinking all together. There are several easy ways to lower your alcohol intake, including:
- alternating your alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or mineral water
- choosing low-alcohol beer or wine
- diluting wine with soda or mineral water
- using only half measure of spirits in your drinks
- putting extra ice in your glass
- drinking only at mealtimes, such as lunch or dinner
- asking for a jug of water at restaurants so that you drink more of it
- putting your drink down between sips rater holding it
- avoiding situations in which you might pressure to drink
- volunteering to be the designed driver when you go out
- telling your friends and relatives that your trying to reduce your alcohol intake
The above simple steps can lower your alcohol and thus reduce your blood pressure. Combined with healthy diet and regular exercise, decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink will also aid you lose excess weight, thereby reducing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
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Juancav | Aug 31, 2009 | Reply
Good to know.