Alcohol

[Lisajack1]

Hi all. I take 2.5 of bisoprolol started a week ago. Should I steer clear of alcohol completely ? Information unclear with meds thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Alcohol is known to be a trigger for AF in many people so if you can live without it then you may well live better. It's all about choice.

[Hidden]

I'm been on those drugs. I had alcohol but in moderation. Alcohol causes you to relax and therefore lowers heart rate which is what your drugs also do so care needed. My personal preference was to have a drink at home and stick to soft drinks when out.

[Finvola]

I was advised to stop alcohol when Bisoprolol was prescribed but I suspect it was more to do with the arrhythmias which had been diagnosed and the fact that alcohol can make things worse in some people - unfortunately I'm one of them.

[P0rtnahapp1e]

Any alcohol at all starts my heart racing, which is such a shame as I loved to relax with wine after work some nights. I almost wrote, "A glass of wine" but that would be misleading. I can remember being amazed some years ago that my sister thought that a wine stopper was a suitable present for me, as I couldn't think of an occasion when I would require one.

Indeed, I'm open to suggestions that an overindulgence may have caused my AF and heart failure, although I didn't think that my drinking was untoward in the past, and was certainly on a par with my friends and peers.

Thankfully I seldom have any desire for alcohol, except for fleeting moments like this morning when I found my desk covered in Prosecco and Champagne from customers and staff to celebrate my retirement !

[PeterWh in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

I was told alcohol is one of the key causes, triggers and exacerbators.

Enjoy that retirement!!!

[hoppy77 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

Maybe the wine stopper was a slight subtle hint that you were drinking too much .

[irene75359 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

What a refreshingly honest, truly funny response!

[Hidden]

I drink the odd pint, a G&T or a glass of red wine on occasion. Alcohol is not a trigger for me but I laugh when asked how many units a week I consume. its about 2 units a month!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I should add that I take 2.5mg Bisoprolol daily. I think the sheet that comes with the medicine says alcohol should be avoided

[checkmypulse]

Having just one pint of beer was a trigger for my AF, I could feel the increase in H/rate and very often accompanied by a tremor, this quite often but not always, 3 or 4 hours later bring on AF. Since Ablation last July I have tried one half pint and a couple of Shandies. No AF but have felt the tremors once! So I may reluctantly leave alcohol alone. In fact I don't really miss it, one can live without it, perhaps it's easier to leave it alone when you know it's causing you problems. I was taking Biso in the early stages of AF and drinking (before I associated it starting AF) but only 3 or 4 units a week. Best wishes to P0rtnahapp1e on retirement.

[PeterWh in reply to checkmypulse]

Following a suggestion on this forum I tried Soda and Lime for the first time and it is nice. Mind you I tell them only 1 or 2 ice cubes so you don't get a glass of ice which is not only a waste but can be a trigger or in my case an exacerbator.

[Steve112]

There is no answer to your question if it causes a trigger like it does in many then avoid.... if it does not affect your AF then enjoy of course in moderation...

[Denise-]

I actually feel better when I go out and have a couple of vodka tonics, although I have reduced from doubles to singles 😢, food is my main trigger, the list continues to grow, I'm on 5 mg of bisoprolol and 10 other tablets

[Dayu]

I take bisonoprol and I do have a glass of red wine from time to time. I do also have a pint of lager once a week but that is all

[Hidden]

Part of my party bag of drugs is warfarin and Bisoprolol (5mg). The other part is Simvastatin, Ramipril and Felodopine. I have cut back on alcohol but not cut it out. It doesn't interfere with my medication or my AF.

John