Alcohol and High Blood Pressure: What You Should Know Denise Mann, MS Replay Video Does alcohol cause high blood pressure? With Sober October, Dry January, and the increasing availability of alcohol-free spirits, many people are taking breaks from drinking to boost their physical and mental health. And improved blood pressure may be one of those benefits. Untreated high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Quitting alcohol or drinking moderately may help keep your numbers where they need to be, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Systolic blood pressure, the upper number in a blood pressure measurement, is the force your blood is exerting against your artery walls when your heart is beating. Diastolic blood pressure, the lower number, is the pressure when your heart is at rest. A blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal. High blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher.