AF and alcohol

[Greigym]

Hi all, I’m Greig, 42yo and was diagnosed with AF early 2017. I had a Cardioversion which switched me back 2017. Prior to any issues, I was a classic binge drinker, consuming no alcohol for weeks but when going out with the lads, drank beer and various mixers in excess. I’d done this for virtually 20 years without issues! After my CV, didn’t drink for a while and then one night late 2017, drank a couple of shandy’s interspersed with water and coke. The next day I was in AFib! I contacted the specialist who prescribed a pill (flecanaid I think) which switched me back.

I was then certain that even the smallest dose of alcohol was a trigger. Since then, it’s occured to me that caffeine could be the issue as that night, I drank coke in some quantity. It seems strange that I’d binge drank for so long without issue and suddenly now it’s a problem.

So since then I’ve cut out alcohol and caffeine. The reason I post today is that I’ve just returned from a friends party at 1.30am where I drank becks blue alcohol free beer all night. I can’t get to sleep, feel slightly anxious and my heart rate feels elevated. I’ve been on Citalopram since my last AF as one of the side effects was anxiety and not being able to sleep. This seemed to work in aiding my sleep so naturally I’m worried about the repercussions of tonight as very similar to last time where I ended up in AF the following day. Does anyone have any similar experiences at all? Many thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Greig and welcome to the forum. AF is very difficult to fathom, it seems to effect people in so many different ways. Binge drinking has always been considered a no no for reasons I’m sure most folk understand. Many here will say the sniff of a cork is enough to start an episode, others say drink in moderation has little or no effect. In my case, I drink little, occasionally sharing a can of lager with my wife over dinner, and a glass of wine when on holiday, but if I touch champagne I’m in trouble! I avoid caffeine, but the odd coke or standard coffee does not cause any problems, but others tell a very different story. I guess it boils down to personal experiences. Not overly helpful, but others may have other thoughts......

[Coral39]

Hi there I don’t drink alcohol but many years ago when I suffered panic /anxiety I was told to cut out caffeine related stuff that includes chocolate tea coffee etc etc and every time I get admitted to hospital now they ask do I drink caffeine I’m like nooooo anything now can set it off the other person is right the slightest thing can set it off even just the sheer worry of is something going to happen and your sat waiting and worrying

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes binge drinking is a known cause of AF in younger people. Alcohol free beer was the worst thing for me back along and I found out that it is made like normal beer and then has the alcohol removed by an osmotic process. This means that all the enzymes and other chemicals are still present so maybe the pure alcohol, is not the problem, Caffeine is another strange chemical and there are conflicting studies saying a) it is good for us and b) we must avoid it at all costs. Like most things excess is bad full stop.

[CDreamer]

Hi Greigym and welcome.

Binge drinking has long been known to be a trigger for AF - note trigger - not cause. No one knows the cause and some believe AF to be a symptom of underlying issues.

Age will be a factor as I think I read or heard a statistic that something like 50% of people over 60 are likely to experience AF episode - some will be asymptomatic and so will not be aware of it.

Different people have different triggers AND those triggers may change - one constant - anxiety. Learning to deal with the accompanying anxiety is the best way to help yourself.

Otherwise the only certaintity with AF - is uncertainty so learning to live with that and be in the moment, a practice taught by daily Mindfulness practice has helped me.

Caffeine is good for me - now - but used to be a trigger as I drank it strong and black. I now restrict myself to 1-2 freshly made (not stewed) coffee taken with milk with no problem. Similar with alcohol- in small quantities. Moving after a eating is my current trigger - but that will change I’m sure.

It does help to note AF episodes and to note foods and drink taken to see if you can correlate - and it can also send you slightly mad when nothing seems to and episodes just happen anyway.

May I suggest that you visits the AFA page and read and research all you can. Take particular note as to considerations regarding anti- coagulation.

Then look at you lifestyle and see what measures you are willing to take to improve your health and general fitness and consider just how burdensome the AF is in your life before considering treatments - all of which come with unwanted side effects. For many.

Best wishes

[Finvola]

Hi Greigym and welcome to the forum. As others have said, binge drinking is a cause of AF in some people and, unfortunately, ageing may play a part in it becoming a problem after so long.

I cannot drink my favourite tipple any more (wine) and thought I had the answer with de-alcoholised wine but it also triggered arrhythmias - apparently because of the sulphides in wine. I don’t know if alcohol free beer should have the same effect but perhaps it can. I would be very wary of Coke because of its high sugar content - which can cause heart problems in some people.

However, as we are all different with different versions of this condition, you may need to look at different triggers. An example for me is coffee - love it, drink it - no problems - but a few sweets for a few days is a no-no.

I hope you are OK today - the beer may have been innocent - perhaps too many nibbles with additives, too much of everything or just an adrenaline high from having too much fun!!

Take care.

[Kaz747]

I gave up alcohol for quite a while after my problems started. That said my initial episode was after major ankle surgery so I was on heavy drugs and in a wheelchair for 3 months - not exactly party time.

I have had episodes after drinking sparkling mineral water, soda water and coke (which I rarely drink). I now have an occasional glass of wine which seems okay.

I've also had 2 episodes after eating icecream.

My cardiologist said really cold food and drinks can trigger attacks because the oesophagus is so close to the heart.

[fallingtopieces]

Greg, my theory is that you, me and all the others on here with erratic heartbeat issues, have been triggered by something, something that wouldn’t trigger a person who’s never going to be troubled with arrhythmia. Personally I think that’s due to various imbalances within us lot which allowed that excitable trigger to cause an arrhythmia.

I’m an advocate of the magnesium / supplement route to help balance those imbalances. It seems to have worked well for me. It’s certainly worth you investigating this yourself because it could work for you too. I can now have a couple/few drinks without my heart racing, which used to set my ectopics off.

I’ve just been away for a week where I had a gin and tonic pre dinner, followed by a shared bottle of wine every night with no sinister effects. I know that’s not exactly binge drinking but it’s more than I’ve dared do for years.

There are many posts on here regarding magnesium and other supplements for you to read through.

Pat

[Greigym]

Thanks for the replies. It very much seems that each case is different. I’m not looking to binge drink again - I think a few responses suggest that’s my intention...very much not. I’ve not drank anything beyond 1.5 pints of lager in over 6 months and that was when I went into AFib again in December. Since then, nothing. I’ve steered clear of caffeine also. I would be quite happy avoiding caffeine for the rest of my life but do miss a drink from time to time. Going out on the occasional Saturday night isn’t the same and it would be nice at family gatherings where it’s just nice to have 1 or 2 beers. Still, not the end of the world and I don’t think it’s worth going down the route of trying to work out if one is a trigger - whether caffeine or alcohol. As mentioned, it’s likely a combo of getting older, alcohol and caffeine. I was just surprised last night as felt anxious and couldn’t get to sleep like before with my previous AFib but had only drunk a few non alcoholic beers. When I’d binge drink before I would have 4 pints, then many many mixers/ shots. I’d done this for 20 years so it’s strange that my body has done such a complete u-turn and said enough enough even in the tiniest of quantities. I’d better get used to OJ and lemonade!!

[icklebud99 in reply to Greigym]

My Afib has been set off with one sip of Prosecco, some sparkling mineral water, Tesco's own make sandwich pickle, a sip of a build up drink which my Brother was having when he couldn't eat due to Cancer so my theory is some sort of chemical or additive is causing the trigger. I can drink a Baileys Cream, or a small vodka but to be honest, I just don't because the symptoms are awful when in AF. Just had my first Cryoablation and so far so good but I still won't risk the Alcohol. Good luck