Question: Hi doctor, my BP was increased to 140/95 about 2 tear ago and my doctor said it is because of stress because I had just lost my father than and he put me on low doze of Amlodipins Besylate 2.5 mg and I was adviced to cut down on my salt intake which I did. After few weeks my BP came down to 124/85. I stopped taking my meds. About one year ago my BP again got up to 135/100 and since then I regularly took my meds and my BP generally stayed about 130/85. I am a smoker, smoke about one pack a day and from last few months I have been drinking about half point of vodka every day and food I eat has little bit more salt than before. On 25th of may I went to party had few drinks and high salt snacks and food. Next morning my BP was 147/100. I spoke to my doctor he said don't worry its because of high salt. He adviced me to cut down salt, which I did to almost no salt in my food. I cut down to only 3 cigarettes a day. Walking 4 mils per day. But I am still drinking half point alcohol (vodka) every day. On May 28 my doctor put me on HCTZ 25 mg once daily for two weeks. But my BP is still high, I monitor it twice a day, systolic varies 135-124, diastolic 92-100. Today my BP is still high 135/96. I am seeing cardiologist on XXXXXXX 10th. I have put control on salt, smoking, exercise, except alcohol. My question is this, is alcohol is the reason that my BP is still high? Please Advice.