Where to start... - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

mkurk · 01-01-2006, 07:09 PM

My BP is usually between 148 over 92 and 132 over 85. Im almost always in between those ranges with the occasional higher or lower reading. I have zero family history of high BP. I have a couple BAD habits...Drink 2 or 2.5 beers everynight and use tobacco. I do however eat well and monitor my sodium intake. I have noticed lately that my face and especially my ears get very red and hot and it seems to happen more often when i get home in the evening and eat a meal. If i have a beer earlier than normal..which usually is an hour before bed...it gets worse. Also tend to feel dehydrated during the day. Does the redness and flushing sound like something else is going on...and is the level of alcohol and tobacco use a major factor in my borderline...sometimes high BP. PS...both my grandfathers drank and smoked for 40 and 50 years and both had normal BP. Thanks in advance.

lane413 · 01-01-2006, 08:50 PM

Do you exercise, that is how active are you? Exercise helps to lower bp. Maybe you should try drinking the beer earlier in the day.

I must admit I don't have an answer bcuz i don't drink. Hopefully some of the smarted veteran will post..Good luck.

Uff-Da! · 01-01-2006, 10:27 PM

I don't pretend to be any expert on alcohol use, but I have never seen the flushing in anyone who drank only 2 drinks a night, but only in those who consumed half a dozen or so. Is there any possibility that you could actually be allergic to some ingredient in beer? Have you taken your BP and pulse both before and after consuming alcohol to see how it affects you? (A large increase in pulse, especially, within 15-60 minutes of consuming something can make one very suspicious of an allergic reaction.) Maybe you are just one of those people who really shouldn't be consuming it. Or maybe it is alcohol in combination with something else. Do you usually eat some specific food along with the beer to which you might be allergic? Just a few ideas to get you thinking.

Any chance you also have increased frequency of urination? How long has it been since you've had your blood sugar checked?

Lenin · 01-02-2006, 06:18 AM

mkurk,

Completely OFF the topic of hypertension, it sounds like you are putting yourself at risk of ROSACEA. The redness and flushing can become more and more pronounced and eventually not go away but remain permanently. The sidease/condition can get to the point of nose disfigurement...think W.C.Fields.
If you see that your daily beer causes flushing with regularity, it really is wise to quit the alcohol. If you see a connection to tobacco, quit that also...actually quit the tobacco ANYWAY.

Back on the topic of hypertension, you are borderline hypertension. If an honest average over a month gives you a reading OVER 140/90 on either number, medicate it...or watch and see. THe younger you are the more likely you will wind up needing a BP drug.
If you want to get your BP down without pills, give up the beer and lose 15 pounds or more if you need it. Blood pressure responds very well to weight loss.

But DO avoid ANYTHING that causes you to flush. Rosacea is a misery to deal with.