Ask the doctor: Beta blockers and alcohol

People have different definitions of a "glass" of wine. The standard definition of a drink is 5 fluid ounces of wine, a 12-ounce can of beer or a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor. Many experts agree that up to two alcoholic drinks per day for men, and one for women, is heart healthy. More than that starts to be unhealthy for the heart. That's why it's important to realize that most wine glasses hold much more than 5 fluid ounces. Some red wine glasses hold as much as 20 ounces or even more! Thus you should know how much wine you mean by two glasses, because you might be drinking more wine than is recommended regardless of which beta blocker you take.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.