Limit alcohol

It's acceptable to drink a glass of red wine with dinner. In fact, moderate red wine consumption may even be good for your heart. However, excessive alcohol use can cause a number of health problems, including high blood pressure.

Additionally, excessive drinking can lessen the effects of some blood pressure medications. What does the phrase "moderate drinking" mean? Men should limit their alcohol consumption to two drinks per day, according to the AHA. One alcoholic drink per day is the recommended intake for women. Heavy drinkers who reduce their intake to moderate levels can reduce their systolic blood pressure measurement by about 5.5 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure reading by about 4 mm Hg. One drink equals:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 4 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor