Just diagnosed with high BP, need advice.

tdf2000 · 10-07-2003, 12:49 PM

Hi everyone!

First post, here we go. I just got diagnosed with high BP a couple of weeks ago. I am 36, 160lbs, eat generally healthy, little (but some) exercise.

The cause of it is quite obvious to me. I have been drinking too much over the last 6 years, probably in the range of six, if not eight, drinks daily. On top of that I smoke about a pack a day, slightly less maybe.

My readings are in high 130/mid 90 range, so it's not too bad at this point, I guess. The doctor put me on Norvasc 5mg about two weeks ago.

I continued to drink during the two weeks and, surprise, surprise, the reading did not change much. So I googled alcohol and blood pressure and besides finding this site, I found that quitting alcohol is the only way to go, so I have done that now for two days and I am surprised at myself that there is fairly little withdrawal other than a general sluggishness.

Questions:
1. Assuming that I can reduce my alcohol to nothing, how long does it generally take to get the BP down?

2. If alcohol is in fact the cause of my high BP, can I resonably expect to get off of the Norvasc or is the damage done and I have to live with poping a pill every day?

3. Once my BP is normal, I read that normal social drinking (by this I mean no drinking weekdays, a few drinks during social occasions, nothing excessive), should not increase BP. Is this correct?

Beth36 · 10-07-2003, 02:24 PM

Several years ago, my grandmother was put on high blood pressure medication for the same reason as you. Once she discontined alcohol use, her blood pressure did return to normal, and she was taken off of the medication. Not sure how long it all took though. I would check with your doctor, if you haven't already, about your concerns.

Good luck to you!

-Beth

Desdemona Too · 10-07-2003, 03:02 PM

TDF,

Cutting back on your drinking will definitely help. I can't say if it will do enough to get you off your meds, that's your doctor's call. However, I know my BP is always higher on Saturday and Sunday morning, if you know what I mean! Seems to always coincide with a hangover. Coincidence? I think not. Not drinking during the week should help enormously though.

Good luck!

tdf2000 · 10-07-2003, 07:08 PM

Thanks for answering so quickly.

How soon can I expect to see results? Sounds like that it should kick within days rather than weeks. I can't wait to the BP monitor.

Also, what actually is a dangerously high level of BP. I understand that any level above 120/80 increases long term risk to heart, etc but what is the level that calls for the emergency room?

From what I am seeing 140/90 is still pretty mild but not to be taken lightly in the long run. How long does it take for someone to develop damage with this level? I suspect I have been at this level or close to it for a few years now.

zip2play · 10-08-2003, 09:35 AM

tdf,
I've been and am still sporadically a heavy drinker (4 martinis).
My control is with long periods of abstinence. I've found over and over that it takes aout 4-6 weeks to show much BP benefit. By 90 days the effect is quite marked...I can put all the pills away! (Till I start up again)

A hypertensive crisis (and thus the need for an ER) is not defined as a number but rather damage to one of three major systems: CNS, Renal, or Cardiovascular.
A good summary: [url="http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic267.htm"]http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic267.htm[/url]

[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 10-08-2003).]