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- $Unique_ID{BRK00154}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Do Smoking and Drinking Affect Blood Pressure?}
- $Subject{smoking drinking blood pressure Circulatory System Smoke Smokes
- Smoker Smokers Drink Drinks Drinker Drinkers Pressures arteriosclerosis
- coronary artery heart disease lifestyle lifestyles circulation}
- $Volume{G-23}
- $Log{
- The Effects of Smoking*0007301.scf
- The Heart's Blood Supply*0008901.scf
- Atherosclerosis of Arteries*0009301.scf
- Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis*0009302.scf
- Anatomy of Blood Pressure*0009501.scf
- Causative Factors of Hypertension*0009601.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Do Smoking and Drinking Affect Blood Pressure?
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- QUESTION: Do smoking and drinking affect blood pressure?
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- ANSWER: It is clear that heavy drinking (more than two to three standard
- drinks per day) increases blood pressure. Stopping drinking usually lowers
- the blood pressure. However, the effects of light drinking on blood pressure
- are not clear. Some studies show that light drinkers have lower blood
- pressures than nondrinkers, but there is not solid evidence that this is true.
- Some research shows that light drinking actually helps the person with
- arteriosclerosis, getting more essential blood to the heart muscle. The
- confusion in this area can only be cleared up with more research that focuses
- on this question.
- Smoking strongly contributes to coronary artery disease by limiting the
- oxygen and blood that reaches heart muscle. Oxygen-rich blood is vital to
- maintaining a healthy heart, so anything that decreases its supply is a threat
- to life. It is not clear how smoking relates to blood pressure, but the
- problems it creates in the heart muscle are drastic. Anyone with high blood
- pressure, even if it is controlled by medication, should limit alcohol to less
- than one ounce per day and stop smoking.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-