HBP become low since abstaining alcohol

[Lee1183]

Hello, I have been a heavy drinker for a couple of years (mainly since lockdown) and was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, I was getting ~180/110 and prescribed 35mg Lisinopril /daily.

Since I put an end to my bad habit a couple weeks ago and completely abstained from drinking alcohol my blood pressure has dropped significantly, to the point I dare not take my medication. I checked today and it was 100/66.

I was under the impression that it can take months for your blood pressure to improve so was wondering why it would have dropped so low after only 2 weeks?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Collywobbles64]

You have taken away the cause of your blood pressure problem (sugar). Go see your doctor with your readings and tell him/her that you don't take your medication. They should take you off it.

[Lee1183 in reply to Collywobbles64]

Thank you. I have seen my doctor today and surprisingly they are reluctant to reduce the Lisinopril by more then 5mg even though I have not been taken it for 5 days now.

Since stopping the medication, my BP is on average 119/70 which I think is great. I personally see no reason to keep taking the 30mg every day.

[Collywobbles64 in reply to Lee1183]

Doctors are not infallible. With a blood pressure reading like yours I don’t see why they would not stop the medication. Keep an eye on it without the medication to see if it rises and go back to your doctor with the readings. If it stays low in my opinion you don’t need the medication but what do I know, I’m not a doctor. Ask them to explain why you need to be on medication with those kind of readings without medication.

[Lee1183 in reply to Collywobbles64]

Many thanks for the advice that’s what I will do