from WHO-ISH 1999 Guidelines

Moderation of alcohol consumption
Notwithstanding the evidence that an alcohol intake of up to 3 "standard" drinks a day may lower the risk of CHD, there is a linear relationship between alcohol consumption, blood pressure levels, and the prevalence of hypertension in populations. Alcohol attenuates the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy but its pressor effect is, at least partially, reversible within 1-2 weeks by moderation of drinking by around 80%.132 Heavier drinkers (5 or more standard drinks a day) may experience a rise in blood pressure after acute alcohol withdrawal and be more likely to be diagnosed as hypertensive at the beginning of the week if they have a weekend drinking pattern. Accordingly, hypertensive patients who drink alcohol should be advised to limit their consumption to no more than 20-30 g of ethanol per day for men, and no more than 10-20 g of ethanol per day for women. They should be warned against the heightened risks of stroke associated with binge drinking.