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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will The Alcohol Affect BP And EKG Test?

I need to get a pre- employment physical. I get nervous when I go to the doctor and have a concern that my BP will show high even though it is normally fine. I single drink of alcohol will relax me so that I will show BP is ok. I also need an EKG. Will the alcohol affect the test?
Mon, 25 Aug 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Nope, doesn't work like that.
Alcohol raises the blood pressure. Worst is with alcohol withdrawal in which case the blood pressure can be sky high. Very commonly though, hangovers can have elevated bp that while not dangerously high will mess up an employment physical. Dehydration with a hangover can make the heart rate somewhat elevated and make the EKG abnormal (high heart rate). In the short term, that's about it for alcohol and ekg... (not much effect). In the long term, alcohol in rather huge amounts for rather a long time can literally poison the heart.

Frankly, nervousness around the doctor raises the BP in over 15% of normal people.... alcohol doesn't help this. Lying down, not talking, for at least 5 min before the BP is taken lying down Does help it.
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Will The Alcohol Affect BP And EKG Test?

Nope, doesn t work like that. Alcohol raises the blood pressure. Worst is with alcohol withdrawal in which case the blood pressure can be sky high. Very commonly though, hangovers can have elevated bp that while not dangerously high will mess up an employment physical. Dehydration with a hangover can make the heart rate somewhat elevated and make the EKG abnormal (high heart rate). In the short term, that s about it for alcohol and ekg... (not much effect). In the long term, alcohol in rather huge amounts for rather a long time can literally poison the heart. Frankly, nervousness around the doctor raises the BP in over 15% of normal people.... alcohol doesn t help this. Lying down, not talking, for at least 5 min before the BP is taken lying down Does help it.