Binge drinking in the short term decreases BP
Binge drinking actually predisposes to an acute increase in BP, contrary to popular belief that people relax and BP falls.
Long-term alcohol abuse may cause increased haemorrhage risk
Alcohol abuse can damage liver cells that make factors required for normal clotting.
Alcohol misuse is usually obvious and requires no specific questioning
A working knowledge of a few useful questions can be vital to identify alcohol abuse.
Heavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) which is linked particularly to ischaemic stroke
AF can cause blood clots to form in the heart that lead to stroke. Binge drinking can cause episodic AF. Prolonged heavy alcohol intake can alter the structure of the heart (cardiomyopathy) that also predisposes to AF.
Most alcoholics are more successful and prefer to stop in their own way by themselves
It is usually vital to provide psychological support through community groups.
Page last reviewed: 21 Jul 2023
