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Suggest Treatment For Alcohol Addiction And High BP

Posted on Wed, 29 Oct 2014

Question: Hi, I am a 38 year old male. My BP has always been normal, until I began drinking daily after the loss of a loved one 4 years ago. I take atenolol..it helps but has a lot of side effects. I understand that to solve my problem I should obviously quit drinking. I keep trying but fail. I also suffer from anxiety and depression, which is why I self medicate. My question however is how long does high blood pressure take to cause heart attacks, strokes etc.?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no such thing to predict the same

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The fact that you have been put on atenolol suggests that you are hypertensive. Here are my suggestions to you

1. Drinking in moderation is allowed. Try to drinking less than 4 drinks a week.
2. The most important aspect of control of blood pressure is salt restriction. Try to restrict your salt intake, do not eat foods rich in salt like french fries, pasta, pizza, etc
3. Cardio vascular exercises like running, jogging , swimming for atleast 30 min daily

If you are not compliant to Atenolol then please switch over to another class of drug like amlodipine. It will help

The first reading of blood pressure could be high because of anxiety, however it is within permissable limits and not very alarming.

There is no set blood pressure or duration of blood pressure to predict stroke, heart attacks, etc. Regular followups will prevent these adverse events

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (21 hours later)

Thank you for your response.

Another question. As I mentioned I am fighting an alcohol problem, which it seems, I do so to cope with my anxiety. I've tried many things, including moderately attending AA. Do you have any methods I could practice to help in quitting?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Alcohol Dependency

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my response, it was a very busy day at the hospital.

The first step in alcohol dependency is wanting to quit and I am happy you have taken the first step. The next step is to seek professional help for the alcoholism. I would like you to meet a psychiatrist and ask for 'dilsulfuram therapy' to help quit alcohol. This therapy has proven very beneficial for someone who has taken the first step

I hope I was of help

Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar