Those who like to unwind with an alcoholic beverage in the evening may find that their blood pressure rises as a result.
A new meta-analysis of seven previous scientific research following over 19,000 adults indicated that heavy daily drinking is linked to an increase.
Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association, published the results.
The systolic blood pressure of regular drinkers is higher than that of abstainers, even after just one drink.
In a blood pressure reading, the systolic number represents the "top" value. When your heart beats, it takes a reading of the pressure in your arteries.
Dr. Marco Vinceti, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the Medical Schools of the Italian universities of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
"Alcohol is not the only cause of hypertension, but our results show it contributes significantly. Consumption of alcohol should be limited.
Alcohol consumption of 12 grams per day was associated with a 1.25 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) increase in systolic blood pressure.