konamom
02-05-2009, 05:19 PM
Hi everyone,
Much to my dismay I'm now on BP meds. My BP was 178/89 and then went up again while at the docs office. He put me on Diovan HCT and I'm curious about something. Can I safely drink 1 or 2 glass of red wine one day per week while taking this medication? I forgot to ask the doctor ;) Thanks for your help!
Susan
Much to my dismay I'm now on BP meds. My BP was 178/89 and then went up again while at the docs office. He put me on Diovan HCT and I'm curious about something. Can I safely drink 1 or 2 glass of red wine one day per week while taking this medication? I forgot to ask the doctor ;) Thanks for your help!
Susan
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Flutterbye77
02-05-2009, 06:00 PM
I drink all the time with my bp medications. never had anything bad happen.
konamom
02-05-2009, 06:40 PM
I drink all the time with my bp medications. never had anything bad happen.
Now that's good news! Does your med say not to drink?
Now that's good news! Does your med say not to drink?
Flutterbye77
02-05-2009, 07:32 PM
No, I take azor and htcz. I have had no problems and drink way over 2 glasses of wine over the weekends
writeleft
02-05-2009, 07:55 PM
My BP goes down after a couple glasses, and only that warm relaxed feeling remains. smile...
:wave:
one to many and I feel yucky.
:blob_fire
:wave:
one to many and I feel yucky.
:blob_fire
Lourage
02-05-2009, 08:35 PM
I haven't had any alcohol in the past 3 weeks, and in those 3 weeks i have had NO high BP spikes, maybe 145/85 the highest, and that was after working out. Then again i don't only have "a few" when i drink, so the BP and rebound anxiety is always bad the next day.
I never had ANY bad side effects while drinking on BP/ anxiety medication. But everyone reacts differently, and even if it says it's safe to drink alcohol your body can react to it differently, just like how some people it's perfectly safe to eat/drink something that somebody else may be allergic to. Only way you can know for sure is sip on a glass of wine one night and see how you feel after a while. Don't go on and drink another glass until you see how you react.
I never had ANY bad side effects while drinking on BP/ anxiety medication. But everyone reacts differently, and even if it says it's safe to drink alcohol your body can react to it differently, just like how some people it's perfectly safe to eat/drink something that somebody else may be allergic to. Only way you can know for sure is sip on a glass of wine one night and see how you feel after a while. Don't go on and drink another glass until you see how you react.
bethsheba
02-05-2009, 09:18 PM
Alcohol is a drug, and when you drink alcohol and take medications of any kind you are mixing drugs which may mean several things...the effects of one or more drugs may be enhanced/diminished, side effects may compound, and kidney and liver function may be impaired.
Also of importance is the fact that as we age our livers normally lose as much as 50 percent of their previous function...this can compound the problem with the body metabolizing alcohol...so even if someone had one glass a wine a night when one was younger, the same amount may cause problems in someone older, especially if they are combining it with medication.
And finally, drinking 1-2 glasses per day, even without taking meds, is considered by some health care professionals to be problem drinking...and no, you don't have to get drunk to be a problem drinker.
Bethsheba
Also of importance is the fact that as we age our livers normally lose as much as 50 percent of their previous function...this can compound the problem with the body metabolizing alcohol...so even if someone had one glass a wine a night when one was younger, the same amount may cause problems in someone older, especially if they are combining it with medication.
And finally, drinking 1-2 glasses per day, even without taking meds, is considered by some health care professionals to be problem drinking...and no, you don't have to get drunk to be a problem drinker.
Bethsheba
Flutterbye77
02-05-2009, 09:24 PM
My Dad has had 4 open heart surgeries and on many BP meds. he drinks a couple of glasses of wine and he is just fine and no he is not an alcoholic
konamom
02-05-2009, 09:41 PM
The way I see it is red wine is good for the heart. 1 or 2 glasses on a Saturday night can't be all bad. I'm not looking to get drunk on a daily basis, but I'm hoping I can't have a glass or two of wine periodically. I'll double-check with my doctor since it says to ask the doctor on the insert from the meds. Thanks1
Lourage
02-05-2009, 09:52 PM
Yea, i'm sure it's ok, for otherwise healthy people. I haven't read an article though where it says drinking alcohol is healthy for people with high blood pressure and on medication, unless we are living in bizarro world where increasing ones heart rate and blood pressure with stimulants is healthy for people with heart /blood pressure problems. Plus the fact that some medications metabolize in the liver, and that with the alcohol is not a good mix the added stress on ones kidneys and liver is not good. Thankfully i am still somewhat young and my liver is fine. But i doubt i would be if i keep up drinking alcohol on top of medication for many years.
Lourage
02-05-2009, 10:02 PM
Actually, i just read up that even with high Blood pressure 1-2 drinks is fine. Still though, it can be hard on the liver/ kidneys mixed with certain medications, so just be safe!
tamuprof45
02-05-2009, 10:24 PM
My Dad has had 4 open heart surgeries and on many BP meds. he drinks a couple of glasses of wine and he is just fine and no he is not an alcoholic
My dad is 81, on a diuretic, BP controlled under 120/80. He probably drinks 3-4 glasses of red wine a day, and has since I was a kid. No problems according to his doctor. Everyone is affected differently by this. Not a good reason to take up drinking if you haven't already, but wine is one of the oldest of life's pleasures for thousands of years, and for most people, a couple drinks a day will do more good then harm...just ask a person in France or Italy!
The key is obviously to not overdo it, and be very careful mixing it with certain meds. Also wise, as Andrew Weil suggests, to give yourself 2 days a week off alcohol free. Take milk thistle supplements to give your liver an added boost as well. And if/when your doctor says "stop drinking," listen to that doctor.
But definitely don't stress out about a couple of glasses of wine on occasion!
tamuprof45
My dad is 81, on a diuretic, BP controlled under 120/80. He probably drinks 3-4 glasses of red wine a day, and has since I was a kid. No problems according to his doctor. Everyone is affected differently by this. Not a good reason to take up drinking if you haven't already, but wine is one of the oldest of life's pleasures for thousands of years, and for most people, a couple drinks a day will do more good then harm...just ask a person in France or Italy!
The key is obviously to not overdo it, and be very careful mixing it with certain meds. Also wise, as Andrew Weil suggests, to give yourself 2 days a week off alcohol free. Take milk thistle supplements to give your liver an added boost as well. And if/when your doctor says "stop drinking," listen to that doctor.
But definitely don't stress out about a couple of glasses of wine on occasion!
tamuprof45
tamuprof45
02-05-2009, 10:34 PM
Actually, i just read up that even with high Blood pressure 1-2 drinks is fine. Still though, it can be hard on the liver/ kidneys mixed with certain medications, so just be safe!
I read a French study from about 10 years ago that looked at men at various stages of hypertension...stage 1, 2, etc. The study found that MODERATE red wine consumption reduced the mortality rate of hypertensive men at all stages. I would NOT make too much of this study, but it was interesting at the very least.
tamuprof45
I read a French study from about 10 years ago that looked at men at various stages of hypertension...stage 1, 2, etc. The study found that MODERATE red wine consumption reduced the mortality rate of hypertensive men at all stages. I would NOT make too much of this study, but it was interesting at the very least.
tamuprof45
tamuprof45
02-05-2009, 10:37 PM
Alcohol is a drug, and when you drink alcohol and take medications of any kind you are mixing drugs which may mean several things...the effects of one or more drugs may be enhanced/diminished, side effects may compound, and kidney and liver function may be impaired.
Also of importance is the fact that as we age our livers normally lose as much as 50 percent of their previous function...this can compound the problem with the body metabolizing alcohol...so even if someone had one glass a wine a night when one was younger, the same amount may cause problems in someone older, especially if they are combining it with medication.
And finally, drinking 1-2 glasses per day, even without taking meds, is considered by some health care professionals to be problem drinking...and no, you don't have to get drunk to be a problem drinker.
Bethsheba
I will also add (and I am a regular wine drinker) that alcohol can be VERY dangerous to the heart, esp. as one ages. While there seems to be some protective effect on thinning blood and raising HDL, alcohol can severely disrupt the electrical system of the heart causing atrial fibrillation, and just as importantly, delete the heart's store of vital minerals like magnesium. Caveat emptor.
tamuprof45
Also of importance is the fact that as we age our livers normally lose as much as 50 percent of their previous function...this can compound the problem with the body metabolizing alcohol...so even if someone had one glass a wine a night when one was younger, the same amount may cause problems in someone older, especially if they are combining it with medication.
And finally, drinking 1-2 glasses per day, even without taking meds, is considered by some health care professionals to be problem drinking...and no, you don't have to get drunk to be a problem drinker.
Bethsheba
I will also add (and I am a regular wine drinker) that alcohol can be VERY dangerous to the heart, esp. as one ages. While there seems to be some protective effect on thinning blood and raising HDL, alcohol can severely disrupt the electrical system of the heart causing atrial fibrillation, and just as importantly, delete the heart's store of vital minerals like magnesium. Caveat emptor.
tamuprof45
zekat
02-06-2009, 08:52 AM
I do not currently take BP meds, but I have in the past. I drank at the time as well and had no problems (in fact, I was taking Diovan). However, over the last year I've been experiementing with my BP and alcohol intake. I've found that in periods where I drink, my numbers get higher. My numbers are still "OK" but my diastolic raises by quite a bit. When I'm drinking, my average will be around 118/85 - this is in contrast to the 115/75 typical average. Also, when I'm in periods of drinking, my diastolic will sometimes spike a bit and I'll get funny readings like 120/90. When I'm not drinking, I never see readings like that. This tells me that alcohol consumption affects my overall blood pressure, so I've decided to just stay away from it. Not to mention, I'm not so good with the control bit. What's the point of only 2 glasses when I can have 4? :)
bethsheba
02-06-2009, 10:32 AM
I... I've found that in periods where I drink, my numbers get higher. My numbers are still "OK" but my diastolic raises by quite a bit. When I'm drinking, my average will be around 118/85 - this is in contrast to the 115/75 typical average. Also, when I'm in periods of drinking, my diastolic will sometimes spike a bit and I'll get funny readings like 120/90...
Your experience is not unusual and is just one reason (of many) the Government hypertension specialists recommend cutting back or eliminating the use of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumpion increases the flow of adrenaline which causes blood pressure to rise (adrenaline narrows the blood vessels which means the heart has to pump harder).
Bethsheba
Your experience is not unusual and is just one reason (of many) the Government hypertension specialists recommend cutting back or eliminating the use of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumpion increases the flow of adrenaline which causes blood pressure to rise (adrenaline narrows the blood vessels which means the heart has to pump harder).
Bethsheba
konamom
02-06-2009, 11:30 AM
My doctor just called me back. He said 1 or 2 (or even 3!) glasses of wine is just fine. He did tell me not to make a habit of it, and I don't plan on drinking more than once, possibly twice per month.
bethsheba
02-06-2009, 11:58 AM
Kona,
You were wise to consult your health care provider, and I suspect he gave you very good advice.
Take care!
Bethsheba
You were wise to consult your health care provider, and I suspect he gave you very good advice.
Take care!
Bethsheba
tamuprof45
02-06-2009, 12:56 PM
I do not currently take BP meds, but I have in the past. I drank at the time as well and had no problems (in fact, I was taking Diovan). However, over the last year I've been experiementing with my BP and alcohol intake. I've found that in periods where I drink, my numbers get higher. My numbers are still "OK" but my diastolic raises by quite a bit. When I'm drinking, my average will be around 118/85 - this is in contrast to the 115/75 typical average. Also, when I'm in periods of drinking, my diastolic will sometimes spike a bit and I'll get funny readings like 120/90. When I'm not drinking, I never see readings like that. This tells me that alcohol consumption affects my overall blood pressure, so I've decided to just stay away from it. Not to mention, I'm not so good with the control bit. What's the point of only 2 glasses when I can have 4? :)
That is a range of really good numbers. That 90 diastolic is a tad high, but overall I think anyone would be envious of numbers like those.
tamurprof45
That is a range of really good numbers. That 90 diastolic is a tad high, but overall I think anyone would be envious of numbers like those.
tamurprof45