Hi guys, Just wanted to share this, because I think I have read about people here with blood pressure Issue’s. Just some thoughts about it would be welcome. 2 years ago after a rough time like In between 5 jobs , my kid needed surgery, I drank to much etc… I had a Heart Rhythm failure, into the hospital etc, not nice. It came out I had a very high blood pressure ( 180/120 ), and went on medication. So, last weekend after not taking my medicine for 4 weeks ( Christmas, kept delaying to get new ones…stupid, very stupid) I was walking on the beach and went out of breath and freaked out. It was more of a panic attack then something with my heart, but anyway, rushed to the hospital, and I was on hart-monitoring for 8 hours. They did 2 tests, both on my heart and blood : All ok. Only yes, my blood pressure was high again ( 180/110). 1.5 hours after I took my medicine ( Perindopril ) my blood pressure was fine again. ( 130/80 ) The thing is, whenever I have snus now, or some snuff, and I feel the "Nic Hit " I freak out. I know my hart is ok, my blood pressure is ok now, my blood values were perfect, but I can’t get it out my mind. I quit drinking, I quit smoking, I only have a small snus ( no starks anymore ) or snuff when my Nic-devil calls me… Compared to the old days ( lot’s of drinking - 20 cigs a day ) I’m living healthy now! Anyone had a simular experience with this kind of situation ? I wan’t it, but it scares me sometimes too. Just any thoughts would be welcome… Thanks guys.
Except for the 5 job and drinking parts I had the same experiance, including the hospital and all. I do worry that my snus and snuff usage may not be healthy for me. As a result when ever I take either [or both] and I happen to feel kind of “particular” at the time, I always check my blood pressure. Its calming to know that its always within a safe range. I have checked my BP a lot of times right before snuffing and at 2 minute intervals starting with a decent sniff. I doesn’t seem to raise my BP. Still, I limit my intake of both to make sure I don’t get wired up. My official diagnosis is Congestive Heart Failure, Cartiomyopathy and Hypertension and who knows what else. My heart is pumping at max 50% now. I take 6 pills daily of 3 different varieties for my heart condition and this keeps me in check. The doctor said to get my affairs in order and that if I take my meds, follow my diet, and move from this cold climate then I should live maybe another 10 years. So apparently I won’t be living “till a ripe old age”. It is absolutely impairative that you take your BP meds if your BP tends to be high. There is a reason they call High Blood Pressure the silent killer. It is.
Thanks for your comment PP. Jeese man, reading your story and the thing I had this last sunday… Put’s your feed right back on the floor. I’m freaking 34! I always thought I was invincible, guess not. I keep the snus and snuff though. Better that then smokes.
I have high blood pressure and a variety of arrhythmias. I find if I take all my medicines it makes no difference how much I snuff. Recently I had a upper respiratory viral infection and told my physician I was using medicated snuff instead of other medicines because I am not allowed most of them as a result of my condition. He checked my lungs and blood pressure and told me it seemed to be working without raising my blood pressure. He told me to continue using the snuff and if it failed to control the congestion to call him and he would give me a prescription. I didn’t have to call.
Good to hear Nachman.
cool. glad things are in order. I’ll say this again,and it can’t be said enough…if you suspect that you have high blood pressure please go to the doctor and take your meds, if so prescribed. My heart is pumping at 50% now and I have all these other problems simply because I was unaware that my BP had slowly worked its way up to a dangerous level. Sucks
To answer your question, I also get panic attacks when undergoing a prolonged or sudden nicotine rush. I have a good heart, but my plumbing is shot. Medication has helped reduce my blood pressure, but there is no doubt that SNUS and snuff can affect it. So, no extra sterks, no massive quantities of snuff, and I monitor my blood pressure closely. Take it easy. Eat right and exercise, works for me. I still use nicotine because I am an addict, but smoking is what was killing me, pure and simple, I have chosen smokeless tobacco and have not had one cigarette in over 18 months. I am sure that I would have smoked otherwise. It is about moderation. As to the panic attacks, I get them, especially if I get too amped up on nicotine. I am still traumatized by the heart attack and resulting open heart surgery, I am afraid to die, pure and simple. My body and mind know when I am screwing up and send me urgent notices in the form of a panic attack. This is my new life, I try not to worry, but the stakes are high. No more chasing the dragon. It would be a good idea to get used to a much lower dose of Nic, I get by on seven snus a day and very small and infrequent sniffs of snuff, keep yourself throttled back, the panic attacks will melt away as soon as the rushes subside, small price to pay in my mind, use tobacco, don’t abuse it. Here is another echo for you,“if you suspect that you have high blood pressure please go to the doctor and take your meds”, I wish I had…
I only take about 6 regular snus and maybe 6 hits of snuff in 24 hours. I monitor myself closely to avoid those panic attacks. Heres a link I found at SnusOn, the info is rather reassureing… http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/reprint/82/3/417.pdf
I used to have fairly regular panic attacks. I am not sure or do I believe they were ever much effected by nicotine. I know however since being prescribed 10 mg of diazepam (valium) to take when they hit, they are no longer a problem! (Oddly enough neither is any undue stress at all!)
I guess I’m lucky, because nicotine actually keeps my blood pressure where it should be for me. If I’m in the middle of a bad bout of insomnia, I’ve had my blood pressure dip down as low as 90/60, and the nurse was asking me how I was still conscious and able to hold a coherent conversation. I told her I was just used to it by now.
I suffer from high BP, a “lazy” thyroid gland and I must keep my cholesterol in check. I already have 5 stents in my heart arteries/veins and one in my leg. I take 5 pills in the morning and 2 at night. I’m 20kg over weight. I use about 3g of snuff per day plus I puff a pipe or 2 and 1 snus before bed. And I’m happy!! The main thing for me is “mind over matter”. If I worry, I’ll die and if I don’t worry, I’ll also die. So why worry. I’ve got a heart rate monitor which I use while cycling. I’ve checked my heart rate before and after snuffing…NO difference. I’ve checked my BP before and after snuffing…NO difference. So, for me snuff is not a problem. I really and truly feel very sorry for anyone who is otherwise effected. But then moderation is always, always a good thing (except for sex of course). So keep that in mind, my good friends.
Another guy here with high BP and panic attacks. I won’t repeat the sound advice offered here except for moderation is key. My anxiety and panic attacks have lessened noticeably since stopping smoking and snuffing instead. I’m not sure about my BP. I take meds for it and have 3 monthly check-ups. Edit the scotches can get my anxiety up if I binge too much. Valium helps when that happens 
As I stated earlier, Valium has proven itself helpful in many ways 
It’s been quite handy in the wait for my Mr. Snuff order to arrive. Also I have noticed that when I smoked my blood pressure was much higher than it should have been given my age but since removing the cigarettes and using snuff, the occasional pipe and also cigar, my BP has returned to normal levels. I do know where panic attacks and such are concerned just the stress, anxiety, and the bodies physiological reaction during a panic episode will cause the blood pressure to skyrocket with or without the presence of vitamin “N”
everybody many thanks for all your responses. guess I’m not the only one then. I’m very sure that moderation is key, which is easy, I was never a chain snus/snuffer. Thanks again for all your responses, don’t know anything else to say then a big thanks really!
I’ve had pretty much the same experiences as most of you guys (high BP, increased heart rate, sort-of-panic attacks etc), except for a major difference: all my tests came back negative. My heart’s fine, possibly even better than usual for my age. So, I had to look elsewhere for a cause, and I found two: GERD and a couple cervical discopathies. Both will easily ramp up your heart rate, which in turn leads to anxiety (if you are so inclined), which leads to higher BP and so on. Not only this - both problems can cause pain in the chest and in the arms. I’ve been told it’s nothing like the pain from an actual heart attack, but it’s definitely worrying, especially if you don’t know what’s going on and feel a bit confused as well (another possible symptom) like I was. Anyway, I suggest you also check for GERD and/or discopathies, seeing as curing (well, treating) those might help with all the rest.
Interesting link from PP. I happen to know first hand that nicotine ingestion raises my BP and heart rate, not great. But I will be damned if I am able to give up Snus and snuff anyway. And I picked a hell of a week to quit sniffing glue!
Whalen, its a hell of a ride to quit sniffing glue. I had the toughest time myself. It is a lot easier to quit if you substitute “pre-glue” for real glue. Find yourself an old “pre-dead” horse and try sniffing that for a couple of weeks. Then try going cold turkey. note; I don’t mean sniffing cold turkeys. That would be silly. I meant totally stopping.
I sniffed a dead turkey once, I think they called it Samuel Gawith Lavender Dark!
I used to get panic attacks especially when driving or out somewhere isolated and preparing to smoke a cigarette, and finding NO MATCHES OR LIGHTER. Cigarette in mouth, sweet tobacco scent wafting up, and NO FIRE! AAARRAGGHGHGHG! Frantic search through all pockets, nooks, and crannies. Then taking all manner of inconveniences and gyrations to obtain fire! I remember feeling the pressure building behind my forehead. Glad that’s over with. Snuff is much more forgiving in that way.
I have high blood pressure, for which I take 2 medications. When cigarettes were my only source of nicotine, my BP always ran high despite the meds. Nowadays I use snus (almost constantly) and snuff (frequently), and smoke a pipe once or twice a day. Once in a while I’ll still smoke a ciggy, but only once in a while. Last two doctor visits, my BP was absolutely normal.