This Popular Nighttime Habit Could Spike Your Blood Pressure, Cardiologists Warn

This Popular Nighttime Habit Could Spike Your Blood Pressure, Cardiologists Warn originally appeared on Parade.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that stress can kill you. According to scientific research, people who reported having a prolonged, high amount of life stress had a 43% increased risk of premature death than those who did not report having a high amount of stress.

Why is stress so detrimental to health? In addition to often leading to unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as overeating or smoking), it triggers the release of cortisol. This leads to a cascade of health problems, including increased blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar—all risk factors for heart disease.

Clearly, it’s very important to have effective stress management habits in place. Unfortunately, there is one common stress-relieving habit that cardiologists say does more harm than good.

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The Nighttime Habit That’s Bad for Heart Health

If your go-to stress-relieving habit is to unwind with a few alcoholic beverages in the evening, it’s time to replace it with another coping mechanism. According to two cardiologists and a registered dietitian we talked to, this habit is detrimental to heart health—and yes, that includes red wine!

“Excessive wine or alcohol consumption does not have any benefit for heart health,” says Dr. Paul Drury, MD, a cardiologist and associate medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.

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Perhaps you’ve heard that red wine is good for the heart. Dr. Drury says that while it’s true that red wine does have some beneficial properties (such as the antioxidants, which can help lower cholesterol), he says that the presence of alcohol outweighs the health benefits. It’s much healthier just to consume red grapes!

“Despite potential cardiac benefits, someone who does not consume alcohol regularly should not start drinking just for the potential cardiac benefits,” he explains.

Dr. Joshua Weisbrot, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with Atlantic Health System, says that immediately after consuming alcohol, blood pressure lowers. He explains that part of the reason why this happens is that it leads to feeling less stressed and more relaxed.

Lindsay Malone, RD, a clinical dietitian and instructor in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, adds to this, explaining that right after drinking, alcohol can act as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the blood vessels and can temporarily lower blood pressure. “This is partly due to its effect on nitric oxide pathways and the sedative impact on the central nervous system,” she says.

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Despite lowering blood pressure immediately after consumption, Dr. Weisbrot stresses that alcohol should not be seen as a replacement for blood pressure medication, which works entirely differently. Related to this, all three experts emphasize that while alcohol may lower blood pressure short term, it raises it long term.

“After a few hours, and especially after multiple drinks, your body responds with a rebound increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to a rise in blood pressure. So even if you feel relaxed, your cardiovascular system might be gearing up,” Malone says. Dr. Drury agrees, adding that blood pressure typically rises 12 hours after alcohol consumption.

Even drinking a moderate amount of alcohol daily can be detrimental long term. “Multiple studies have suggested that people who drink even a moderate amount of alcohol have a higher risk of developing [high] blood pressure. Furthermore, people who reduce their alcohol consumption can reduce their blood pressure without any other lifestyle change,” Dr. Drury explains.

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Malone echoes this point. “Over time, daily alcohol use, even at low levels, can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. Studies show a clear dose-dependent relationship between alcohol and hypertension, particularly with regular use.” She adds that alcohol can also interfere with sleep, increase stress hormones and be taxing on the liver.

“There’s also a ‘J-curve’ in the research, where very light drinkers may show slightly lower cardiovascular risk, but that benefit disappears quickly and reverses as intake increases, even just above one drink per day. According to the American Heart Association, the safest approach is not daily drinking, but rather low-frequency, low-volume use, if at all,” she shares.

Better Ways To Relax

Okay, stress and alcohol are both detrimental to cardiovascular health. So what is a heart-healthy way to relax? Dr. Weisbrot recommends going for a walk or to the gym instead of pouring a drink. “Regular aerobic exercise and strength training help lower blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce cardiovascular risk,” he says. Malone suggests yoga or gentle stretching in the evening, sharing that those are great ways to support heart health while relaxing.

If movement tends to energize you instead of make you feel more relaxed, Malone explains that creative hobbies like knitting, painting, coloring, crocheting or working a puzzle can all be effective ways to relax in the evening. Still want something to sip on? She recommends making a mocktail or trying alcohol-free wine or N/A beer.

According to Malone, spending time with loved ones, including pets, can also help relieve stress and lower blood pressure.

“There are much better and more heart-healthy ways to relax instead of consuming alcohol,” Dr. Drury says. Think about what works for you and integrate it into your evening. While enjoying the occasional alcoholic drink to socialize or celebrate won’t negatively impact health, regularly relying on alcohol to relax will. When it comes to planning your nightly wind-down routine, go with your heart!

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Sources

This Popular Nighttime Habit Could Spike Your Blood Pressure, Cardiologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Jul 30, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.