Cardiac arrest

[Mac777]

I had VF and went into cardiac arrest 5 weeks ago "i had an ablation 3 weeks agoI'm just wondering is it okay for me to have alcohol?

[azriverrat]

Why risk it at this point?

[Mac777 in reply to azriverrat]

It's just there's a lot of special occasions coming up and nothing has been mentioned to me by my cardiologist or doctors about alcohol

[Thomps95]

So sorry to hear this Mac777. Hope you recover well. I would say your question is for your cardiologist; I don't think it makes sense to rely on casual advice from this forum for something so important

[Mac777 in reply to Thomps95]

No i understand that it's just i don't see my cardiologist for another month and was just hoping that a forum like this might answer a few questions for me

[Mazza23]

After cardiac arest and an ablation me personally would give alcohol a big miss but I am no doctor but I waited two years for my ablation and would do nothing to mess it up take care

[Mac777 in reply to Mazza23]

Thank you "my ablation happened ten days after my cardiac arrest i had to stay in hospital until i actually had the procedure 'i wasn't given a choice i was told this is the operation you need

[Mazza23 in reply to Mac777]

I am glad they where able to treat you so quickly and hope you are doing well please do your best to keep healthy

[EricR]

Mac, In my opinion, it's too soon. My sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) (or sudden cardiac death as my doctor friends call it) resulted from VF and was such that I needed 2 shocks by emergency medical personnel to revive me. The treating hospital put me in a coma for almost a week, to ensure that I did not suffer any brain damage because my heart had stopped for 4-5 minutes. I lost working memory and normal reflexes and had to undergo one month of rehabilitation before they would let me drive again. I have a defribillator implant and take Carvedilol and Eliquis. I didn't have an ablation because my electrophysiologist determined that my afib is permanent, but asymptomatic. I don't experience heart flutters nor any other symptoms. My coronary arteries are clear and I was in good health before my incident, but it was 3-4 months after a checkup with my cardiologist before I was told that I could drink a glass of wine every day with dinner or an occasional mixed drink. After the trauma that I went though and the high cost of my nearly one month hospital stay, I am not going to do anything that might cause a recurrence.

[Mac777 in reply to EricR]

Goodness you've had a rough time haven't you yeah same here my heart had to be shocked twice but luckily I'd just gotten to the hospital when this happened so they managed to bring me back in a matter of minutes i was expect a pacemaker or something put in but the surgeon decided it needed to be cured instead of just being left to occur again hence the need for the ablation fingers crossed it's worked "you take care and thankyou for sharing your experience

[EricR in reply to Mac777]

Thank you. Hope one ablation is all you need to make everything right. Best wishes for good health.

[Flaka]

What is VF?

[Moorso in reply to Flaka]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ven...

[kateporter]

Ventricular fibrillation, a rhythm incompatible with life.

[Japaholic]

I waited a year after my ablation to be told "you can have A drink"

So that's what I have - a drink! At the most 2.

Don't push it!

[Mike11]

VF is your body's way of telling you it wants a major change of lifestyle, up to and including not being alive. I think alcohol would be on its list of changes

[Hidden in reply to Mike11]

Mike11 my VF was caused by an inherited genetic rhythm disorder.

[Mac777 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah mine too "it's alright people blaming lifestyle but sometimes that's not the main cause of this condition

[Hidden]

Hi wow you provoked some strong replies for someone who has just been through hell! Poor you going through that - no wonder you fancy a drink! I suspect none of us on here are medically qualified to know if there is any real danger or to be advising on use of alcohol for you after your medical emergency though. And by the way I also had a cardiac arrest - was in vt - four weeks ago and had ablation and pacemaker fitted. I don't drink anyway but if I did I'd probably like you fancy raising a glass to my health and future. Are you able to consult EP, Dr or even the cardio ward etc for advice? I hope you can start living how you want soon - that's what I intend to do fully once my body feels a bit better! You only get one life and when you nearly lose it things are very much put into a different perspective!

[Mac777 in reply to Hidden]

Lol for my first post i may as well put the cat amongst the pigeons yes i have a consultant who i see in 4 weeks but there's a lot of birthdays etc coming up and I'd like to be able to enjoy a few glasses of wine without worrying "thankyou for your reply much appreciated

[Jamila123]

I wish you well 🌺

But maybe it would be a good idea now to really give your body good food and water to heal the heart and your body for now and in the future

Alcohol is very toxic for the body it is classed as a drug

Please be kind to your body research all the good things

Keep well 🌺

[Mac777 in reply to Jamila123]

Thank you "yes when you have cardiac arrest it makes you realise life is so short i think I'll have to find the right balance between being healthy but also being able to relax and let go a bit "thankyou

[Icenae]

I wouldnt risk it. Alcohol could spark it off again. Remember it is a stimulant and toxin. Same as caffeine. You could have a really nice shloer or bottle green fizz. But if you do sucuumb limit it to just 1.

Alcohol often gives me af.

You are still healing at this stage My last one took months to settle

Parties and special occassions are enjoyable without alcohol.

Hope it goes well anyway.

[Bagrat in reply to Icenae]

"Although classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect. Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a beer or glass of wine taken to “loosen up.” But if a person consumes more than the body can handle, they then experience alcohol's depressant effect."

From the replies it sounds like 1. Take expert advice 2. Consider your attitude to risk. 3. Think very carefully, if live is worth living to the max, OK, but if that could kill you maybe not OK

[Mac777 in reply to Icenae]

Thank you

[meadfoot]

Wouldn't be contemplating alcohol personally.

[Mac777 in reply to meadfoot]

I just wanted to know if i could still drink after this operation

[Polski]

I suggest you research 'alcohol' on here (put it in the search position in the top right-hand side of the page) I think you will find lots of people find alcohol is a trigger for AF for them, and also that the heart needs several months to heal up properly after an ablation - let alone after what your heart has suffered. Why not play safe this year - but promise yourself that next year you will enjoy yourself, within the limits which by then you will have discovered are 'right for you'. That way you will get the best of both worlds - the best possible healing now, and something to look forward to.

In other words, you've had an ablation - give it time to heal!

[Mac777 in reply to Polski]

Thankyou yes i will research it and yes your right my main focus should be on healing "it has been one hell of an ordeal for me and my family

[azriverrat]

My opinion is why risk it? You didn't say one glass of wine at one occasionan. You said multiple occasions coming up.

VF is not a minor thing and neither is an ablation. You are still in the healing phase of both.

Neither are say a broken leg.

[Mac777 in reply to azriverrat]

Yeah your right i really need to concentrate on getting myself healthy again

[P0rtnahapp1e]

Hi Mac777 , you made me smile as it was the sort of question I would have asked, fervently hoping that someone would say, "Of course you can, but limit it to a bottle of Chateauneuf-du- Pape per meal". 😉

Actually I, although my condition was much less serious than yours, (PAF and severe heart failure), was told by my consultant on discharge from the Coronary Care Unit to avoid salt, processed food, alcohol, and to restrict fluids to 1300 MLS per day and followed her instructions religiously.

Just before Christmas I was with another cardiologist and asked if I could have a glass of wine. ''Not right now I mean, but can I have one over the festive season?"

He explained that my restriction wasn't due to the effect of the alcohol, but simply that it would encroach on my daily fluid intake and 1300 MLS was the maximum my heart could manage.

Happy Days! Was handed a glass of wine on Christmas Eve and to my horror found that I didn't like the taste. I suspect my cocktail of medication has affected my tastebuds, but whatever the reason is, I'm not enjoying any of my old favourites. Maybe the body does this as a form of self preservation, but for whatever reason the decision has been taken from me, thank goodness.

Hope you come to the decision which is right for you.

[Mac777 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

Lol yes i was kind of hoping for the thumbs up drink wise but yes you could be right when i do decide to have a drink again i may not even like the taste only time will tell "thankyou for your comment

[azriverrat in reply to Mac777]

I did not say never. Just you are in a healing phase. Plus after this phase still limiting may be a good idea.

Also, what medications are you on. So.e do not mix with alcohol.

[Mac777 in reply to azriverrat]

Yes i haven't drank for about 6 weeks and I'm not too bothered about drinking i just want the reassurance i suppose that if i do have a drink it won't cause the VF again I'm only taking aspirin as medication

[Vony in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

What a lovely answer! This question made me smile too as it reminded me of myself also lol

[traveler65]

Mac77 glad you are alive and well and you should be too-- forget about it with the alcohol!!!!!!

[Mac777 in reply to traveler65]

Oh I'm definitely lucky to be alive even the Dr's and nurses were calling me miracle girl "yes think i might forget about the alcohol for a while there are a lot more important things in life to hopefully look forward to

[Hidden]

Just my personal choice but since afib entered my life I gave up alcohol ,caffeine ,and many foods that gave me flutters. I vowed to do whatever it took to try and avoid another experience with afib.It has not been easy at times but I take one day at a time and explored meditation, breathing and new ways of unwinding.I call it taking the high road and just hope I can continue.Wishing for that cup of tasty java or watching others have my favorite mojito is hard some days and maybe I will give in some day but I try to change my outlook and remind myself how much my hubby wants me around to enjoy life with him.Hoping you can do whatever turns out to be best for You!

[Mac777 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou

[BobD Volunteer]

There is no doubt that alcohol can be a contributory factor in AF. Risk management is very individual and yes some of us are cavalier about these sorts of things and it really is an individual choice. I love my evening pre dinner glass of wine but since my own brush with the grim reaper three weeks ago I am talking my time going back to it. MY reasoning is that I really don't want to have to explain to Big G why I screwed up again so soon. In a month or two when the weather gets better no doubt I will be back out on the terrace with a glass but why risk it?

[Buffafly in reply to BobD]

Bob, all these intriguing little references to what was no doubt a horrible and scary experience are quite frustrating to those of us who are inapropriately nosy......

[BobD Volunteer]

I was fine with it since I wasn't around at the time! lol. Sorry I won't mention it again Buffafly . Lets say one in ten million chance so no point in scaring people who are already worried enough. Stay chilled.

[Vony in reply to BobD]

Oh my goodness Bob. I didn't realise you were that critically ill. I hope you are recovering and feeling okay. xx

[Mike11]

One thing I note in this long string of comments is VF being treated in a similar manner to AF. Let's be honest - if you have AF and trigger it accidently with alcohol or any other trigger, you'll have some discomfort but it's 99.99% likely not going to die. But if you trigger VF then it will get you, maybe not this time or the next, but at some time in the future.

And even after an ablation for AF, I stayed off any alcohol for three months, then worked up slowly

[Mac777 in reply to Mike11]

I couldn't find a VF information forum so thought I'd ask the question on here "yes you are right though if VF happens and you don't get help then your a goner "that's what's so scary i don't know what the actual cause is i don't know wether the ablation was successful I've had the operation and been sent home with aspirin "i don't know what i should be doing to try and help keep this at bay "when it happened i was so lucky with the timing i was in the right place at the right time but even the doctors didn't know what was wrong with me until i went into cardiac arrest and they diagnosed VF it was a very close call and i had some loved ones up in heaven watching over me that day

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to Mac777]

How scary, although I imagine the seriousness of the situation probably didn't hit you until it was over.

All the very best for the future anyway.

[Mac777 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

It's very scary "it still hasn't hit me yet i don't think "I'm just really grateful to have been give a second chance at life there must be some purpose for me awaiting in this world "Thankyou

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to Mac777]

Can I ask roughly what age you are? You sound young.

[Mac777 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

I've just gone 40

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to Mac777]

Gosh, that's really young to be in your position, but on the positive side how wonderful to have 30+ years ahead thanks to medical intervention.

Not only that, but to have had a wee scare to make you appreciate it!

[Mac777 in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

I know it's scary to think though that you have this condition and it can cause sudden death hopefully fingers crossed this ablation has cured it "its like anything else though none of us never know when our times up so i think sometimes we need to just live life to the fullest and appreciate every day we get on this earth

[Arveno]

My spontaneous answer if you were somebody I care for, is stright, screaming: NOO!, No alcohol. Be happy that you survive and do not push your luck. You have so many other wonderfull things to live for. Good luck

[Mac777 in reply to Arveno]

Thank you i think i may just leave the Alcohol alone for a while

[Mac777]

Just a quick update i went for my 8 week follow up with my cardiologist and it's really good news he said the ablation was a success and the extra pathways had been ablated so to live life as normal "so here's to a cheeky glass of wine this weekend to celebrate