Hi there,
I gave up alcohol completely when I was first diagnosed with AF. Now I just have the odd 2 here and there.
Has everyone else given up? I’m not sure even my odd 2 is ok .... what’s the opinion on here?
Thanks
Alcohol and AF: Hi there, I gave up... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Alcohol and AF
112 Replies
•
I have given up totally but there again I'm too scared to try a drink now I know it could act as a trigger I loved having lunch with friends or a girlie night out but now I don't drink that seems to have dropped off
• in reply toVonnieruth
Yes I worry too. The trouble is.... is that it forever? No more partying? Ever?
I asked my doctor but they look at you like you’re a raging alcoholic.... which I’m not!
Having 2 drinks at the works Xmas do was not my idea of a fun night.
I’m not complaining of course, if that’s what I have to do, then I will.
I just wondered if I could let my hair down occasionally.... or hoped!!
Vonnieruth• in reply to
Guess the only way to find out is to try I believe everyone is different Have to admit I do miss a drink of vodka or JD
• in reply toVonnieruth
Yes, I miss it too. I don’t wanna risk things though so will stick at 2 just occasionally 👍
Vonnieruth• in reply to
Lol well it's two more than me that your brave enough to have lol
Geza10• in reply to
White wine small to a medium glass in a pint glass filled up to the top with soda water keeps you hydrated and no hangover in the morning also another drink is carling extra cold I've had 5 pints on a night out and been fine in between pints I've had half a pint of water to be honest I may go 3 weeks without a drink I'm at the stage take it or leave it
It's just nice to have a drink on holiday or a day at the races see what works for you good luck
grahamabel• in reply to
Alcohol can be the main trigger for AF. Gave up four years ago after ablation and cardioversion. Still greatly enjoy parties and having a drink of wonderful non-alcoholic wines and beers.
mbheart• in reply to
I was like you - no alcohol after I was diagnosed. But when I asked my cardiologist, he didn't seem totally opposed, he just said to wait the first 4-6 months when they were monitoring me. Now I have two glasses of wine once in awhile at social events and I'm fine. I just monitor my heart rate and it seems fine.
Yes same here Vonnieruth. We don't seem to go out so much because it's not quite the same. I didn't get drunk, nowhere near, but even one glass was relaxing. It's when you go on holiday, friends, etc I miss have a little tipple
I had 5 drinks in the whole of 2018, Feb for anniversary, 2 in June at a wedding spaced out over 8 hours, and 2 in September for mine and my OH birthdays.
This year I've had one, on Saturday night.
It's just not worth the risk of an elevated HR or feeling over tired generally.
• in reply tojedimasterlincoln
I agree, I don’t wanna risk things. I just appreciate reading what other people do. Thanks
BobDVolunteer
I think the sensible thing is to not drink alcohol if it affects you. I very seldom drink these days despite having shares in a vinyard and loving single malts. I may have the very occasional glass of very light white wine as an aperitif on a hot summer evening but judge this by how I the first sniff affects me.
Regarding not going out, why does everybody think that one needs to get smashed to enjoy oneself? As designated driver I have never imbibed whilst out for meals etc and still enjoy myself although it is true that one can get bored with drunken friends who think mundane things are hilarious and repeat punchlines endlessly. You soon get used to it and tune it out.
• in reply toBobD
I do understand that getting drunk is not the be all and end all but my mates and my partner haven’t stopped getting drunk... so I find that pretty grim staying sober with them!
If we all abstained I think that would be ok... but man, they are so annoying when drunk and I’m sober! I imagine I was too when I had a few!
I suppose I just have to work on my tolerance of them!!
kcamarlo123• in reply to
I like my Miller lite beer. I had problems in the past years from too many beers and dehydration putting me in AFIB. After 3 ablations, I am good now. However, I will have a couple beers for happy hour so I can be social. If I have vodka or red wine, that triggers it more. So a couple beers earlier and I am ok. I completely inderstand.
What do you mean exactly when you say the first sniff affects you Bob
If I treat it as a tasting, take in the nose, look at the colour etc and wet my lips without swallowing the reaction or not is enough for me to know if today is one of those days. If not I can spit and go on to drink Luscombes Scillian Lemonade. (Other soft drinks are available).
Wow would never have thought that just putting a little on your lips would tell you that
This might be a daft question but if you have permanent AF which is controlled with meds what is the problem with drinking alcohol moderately?
• in reply toMickhall
Thats a really good question. I would like to know also
• in reply toMickhall
Tbh I didn’t realise I had permanent AF until recently.... I didn’t know there were 2 different types. I suppose my question should have been should you drink when you’re in SR after a cardioversion.... could it bring the AF back?
Yes I never had attacks.... mine was just flutter and pound all the time.
I was strongly advised to stop by my cardiologist at diagnosis five years ago. It was difficult as I really loved wines and all to do with drinking them!
Wouldn’t risk a glass as it just isn’t worth it. ☹️
I would not risk it after my ablation either
I haven't had any alcohol for over two years. I'm sure I'd probably be fine with one glass of wine but don't want to risk it.
Hi Black Crow1 I was first diagnosed with PAF in the 1990s (sometime -I try not to dwell on health problems) I gave up alcohol completely. I'm not saying that cured it because I've been back in hospital twice with AFib last year. I had a major stroke in 2009 .Ive had carduioversion last year that brought my BPM to below 170 that it had been running at, but that only lasted for two days. I'm currently waiting for a pacemaker and BPM normal so hoping I don't need it. Keeping off alcohol in meantime (not even occasionally) good luck, good health .
Annlynne
• in reply toannlynne
Same to you 👍
I have pretty much cut out alcohol , I have an occasional G+T or a bottle of beer. Have not drunk wine or cider since being diagnosed
The only time I miss it is on holiday, we go surfing every year with two other family's that have kids similar ages to ours, we often have a BBQ on the beach and a nice cold cider, so I am pretty envious when they have that, and I have a water
Finvola• in reply to
Agree - it's the special socializing that really brings it home just how much I miss it.
Yes that indeed. It seems I must give up though.... general consensus ☹️
• in reply to
It's up to you!
I'm not going to totally give up, at least not at the moment. I enjoy a G+T or two once a month, but probably less. For me it is not a trigger, I only avoid cider and wine because of their high sulphite levels which CAN be a trigger for SOME people.
If you have had a drink and it hasn't triggered an episode, then i think you are OK to have the odd one.
Life is short, why be miserable?
• in reply to
I think my binging was a trigger but when I have 2 I’m ok. This was before my cardioversion though. Now I don’t want to push things while I’m in rhythm.
Morzine• in reply to
I have two glasses of wine and seem fine.....
Yes I gave it up 3 yr ago at my first EP appointment. He talked for a long time about healthy life style changes, said it would be best to avoid alcohol. I was not a regular drinker, but I do miss it. On New Years eve this yr I had a small glass of red wine and was shocked that it no longer tasted good to me.
I gave up completely when diagnosed but i had a delicious glass of cold white wine on my birthday a couple of weeks aho and no problems at all. But i would not take it up again just in case.
hello Black Crow1
please research magnesium deficiency and symptoms of magnesium deficiency also benefits of vitamin d3 k2mk7 good luck
• in reply torobert1957
I stopped taking Magnesium when I was diagnosed as it said it could cause irregular heartbeat.... I’ve worried ever since that I caused it by that. Seems I’m totally wrong!!
robert1957• in reply to
what type of magnesium were you taking
• in reply torobert1957
I was taking 2 a day , Bio Magnesium 200mg. I was taking it for leg cramps.
robert1957• in reply to
research the bioavailability of the different types of magnesium ie magnesium citrate,or magnesium oil
MatlockSteven• in reply to
Magnesium is a funny one. It can both cause and help with problems. My doc asked me to stop taking it. Didn't seem to help me.
I was told by my cardiologist zero alcohol and that was over 20 years ago, not touched a drop since... You get used to doing without although I must admit it makes works nights out and similar events a bit of a drag. There's more to life I know but having a nice cold beer in summer still haunts me some days lol 🍺🍺🍺
• in reply todjbgatekeeper
20 years is excellent 👍
Jeez you are good! Talk about willpower! 
He he... I've told all my friends, if I ever get a terminal illness (heaven forbid) you will find me in the nearest pub with a big fat cigar, got some catching up to do 😏 🍺
Too funny and yes heaven forbid! My weakness would be a carton of cigarettes. I quit 5 years ago and I still have fond memories of my smoking days 😂😂
Adnams Ghostship
Yep, now available alcohol free.. Other zero beers that taste like real beers are Nanny State from Brewdog, and St Peter's Without, apparently the non-alcohol adult drink segment is the fastest growing part of the market. Happy days for afibbers!
I’ve just been advised to stop drinking alcohol completely today. I said to the consultant “I can reduce drinking, but I would find it very hard to stop completely.” He replied, Well, alcohol is well known for contributing to AF.” He also suggests stopping coffee and tea which sounds rather extreme. Make of that what you will.
• in reply to
I switched to caffeine free tea but Diet Pepsi caffeine free is horrible so I still have some caffeine.
Dara16• in reply to
Hi there. I've had af on and off the past 5 years. Before i knew what af was i had palpitations here and there but never thought too much about it. Its only looking back that i realised it was after a night of heavy drinking. None of the doctors ive seen have told me to cut out alcohol, or caffine, just not to overdo it. I had an ablation 3 months ago and have had many nights drinking red wine since, with no problems whatsoever. One night i had 3 mouthfuls of white wine and my heart started pounding!! Anyway i think if you really want a drink maybe experiment a little. Just dont overdo it. Then again thats just my experience.
jezzer• in reply to
Following ablation my EP advised me to give up alcohol but said a couple of cups of coffee a day was fine. Like others, I have lost most of my taste for alcohol after 18 months without it, and am reasonably content with the new breed of n/a wine and beer alternatives.
What’s the reason for giving up alcohol? Is it because it’s a trigger for your symptoms, doesn’t mix with medication or something else? I’ve been drinking as normal, one or two bottles beer a fortnight and legless at parties, generally a couple through the year but haven’t had any problems and not affected by the medication either. I suppose that part of it is lucky. 🍾
• in reply toDenzil28
The medications say no drinking alcohol plus I had been drinking the night the AF started.... so I thought I’d better change. I only drank a couple at Xmas for a few nights.... no getting drunk. I’ve had the cardioversion now so don’t want to set it off again.... but I do miss it.
Afibsimon• in reply to
Hi Black crow. It is 21 months since first being diagnosed with PAF. I was a bit of a binge drinker weekends etcI like a drink as do most of my friends. Since my ablation in Nov 17 I limit the alcohol to a few beers with pint of water when I go out. I do not drink during the week at all. I am lucky as a drink does not seem to effect me. Nonetheless it seems sensible not to get carried away. It is not easy as you say as suddenly you are very aware of drunk friends etc. I think if like me you are not effected moderation is the key. My cardiologist said do not have a big night with beers G&T wine followed with an espresso. I think he recognised there is a balance to be reached. I do limit my caffeine to almost nothing as it is very easy to do so why not. Only you can tell what is the right thing for you. I hope you find your way and completely understand your question.
• in reply toAfibsimon
Thankyou for your reply. I think I will have to accept that my binging days are over. The opinion seems to be have none or at least only in moderation.... I can do that of course but I would like an occasional session .... but it seems I mustn’t. I don’t want to mess things up!
I suppose I wanted to read that you could go out and party like you used to but that was wishful thinking.
Reality check.
please research calcification of organs and symptoms of calcification
also please look at calcification of organs ie heart and symptoms of calcification of organs ie heart
Everyone is different. You have to know your triggers. Red wine can be one of mine.
However, I have a glass at least three times a week with dinner, sometimes two even.
Sometimes it will be with beer. Although red wine seems to cause me more issues. If I ever drink much more than the two glasses I risk AFIB when I go to bed.
Now, I have gone to wine tasting, or had friends over and drank more, but I always try to have a glass of water between glasses of alcohol. That seems to make a huge difference.
My AFIB seems to be more tied to my vagus nerve, and less on alcohol or caffeine. I do have 1-2 cups of coffee a day. If I eat too much, especially later at night that can cause AFIB.
The biggest factor for me is stress, the more I worry, the more I worry about AFIB the better the chance I will have an episode. Again vagal nerve related.
what link to alcohol?
no john6 calcification of internal organs is caused by to much calcium in the wrong places in the body heart lungs joints kidneys it causes a host of symptoms that can effect your health
I still drink beer and have not noticed an increase of my PVCs. This crap is hard enough to deal with but never giving up my occasional beer or 2.
Same for me. Usually 3 per day... without issue. Now I do know that 10 will set it off. Haha
Hi BlackCrow1, can’t help you there as I don’t drink, on do on the other hand smoke and try as I may I can’t stop. Would this be the cause of none of the medication I take not working does anyone know.
• in reply toLeonardo3
I was lucky, I gave up smoking 2 years ago.... so at least I didn’t have to do that as well!!
Hi there. I have tested the water so to speak and have found that some drinks affect me, such as: Wine, Cider, Guinness and beer. I have found that I can take lager and I always have 3 pints every Sunday, boy do I look forwards to Sunday. I dare not have any more, no matter what. I think that I am one of the lucky ones in this respect. I did find this out the hard way (hospital visit).
• in reply todaveboy123
I don’t want to find anything out the hard way! I believe you and everyone here so am leaving it alone.... moderation.
I haven't had a drink for such a long time! I bough a tiny bottle of Asti to celebrate New Year but it's still in my fridge. I'm too scared to try it. I do enjoy the odd non alcoholic lager but my supermarket only does them in pint sizes individually or in packs which I would never get through. Lightweight! I spend a lit of time looking for tasty organic soft drinks as so many sugar free drinks are full of aspartame which is just as bad for you or they are laced with caffeine! Manufacturers are missing out on a huge market.
The following is just my personal experience and probably contrary to accepted opinion. I was in afib that is currently controlled by Tikosyn. I have continued my long term practice of 2 cups of coffee in the morning and a couple of glasses of wine with dinner. I have been in NSR for over a year with no arrhythmias. If I went back into afib I would have to rethink this, but am happy that so far I haven't had to make other life style changes.
• in reply toetheral
Fantastic!
I have cut down and have 100mls of white wine with dinner each night and 2 small glasses if i go out to dinner on the weekends.
After three ablations, i now only drink prosecco or other white sparkling wines, but not in any great volume. I found before diagnosis, that red wine was a trigger along with dark chocolate. I only drink decaf tea and coffee now too. Elderflower cordial is another trigger, but can drink it if it's already mixed e.g. tnicc wate/flavoured drinks. Seedlip is a good substitute for gin, alcohol free, 3 or 4 different flavours and great mixed with fever tree or fentimans flavoured tonics. Do you have your fail safe pill in the pocket Flecainide just in case? 😉
• in reply toLinBH
No? I don’t know what that is?
Does alcohol trigger your afib? If not, drink occasionally! Don't let it dominate your life.
I've cut down- but I'll have half a bottle of wine with friends every now and then. Really doesn't seem to be a problem. Just dont go mad.
• in reply toMatlockSteven
Yes I think that’s best 👍
I spent a long time when I had AF trying to find my triggers. I went into AF regularly every 3 days for about 24 hours so it was easy to see what effect everything had. I stopped drinking for some months, gave up caffeine, just drunk rooibos tea (ghastly), no chocolate, etc. and none had any effect. I finally realised that my AF was not caused by what I consumed, so I restarted all that. No effect on my AF but life was a lot more enjoyable!
I think it's right to give up alcohol if it does affect your AF or you drink excessively, but if it doesn't, why then?
Moderate alcohol has been shown to prolong life and it reduces mortality in heart failure, which, other than for strokes, is the main adverse outcome with AF. Red wine is a key part of the Mediterranean diet which is the gold standard of diets.
• in reply toMarkS
I didn’t drink excessively but did occasionally have a bit of a binge night. That’s what I have to stop and have of course.
Hi
I have had AF for a few years now. I still drink wine and lager. Not to get drunk but to be sociable and enjoy at home. I find that if i don't have stimulants for say over a week or more, when i do have a drink or dark chocolate that my heart starts objecting with ectopics or a few quick beats. But if I have these things regularly it doesn't seem to mind so much. I have three friends with AF and they all drink more than me. They are also not anxious people (like me) and don't use websites like this!!! Whereas i like to know all the ins and outs.
I’ll have the occasional glass of organic preservative free red wine – and by glass I mean a measured 100 mils only… Has not triggered AF
Hi, I gave up drinking altogether when a single small bottle of lager set my AF big time and needed a cardioversion, that was 3.5 years ago, but if I was to reflect back, how much stress I had during the day, it simply must have contributed, so as a regular drinker prior to that event, I would say I could probably get away with the odd drink if I had a stress free day, but fortunately I now don't miss drinking at all as I think I have had my fair share during the early years. I gave up all caffeine 10 years ago when I first started my AF rumblings!
I have given up totally and I am too scared to take a drink. I have three dogs and getting caught out and having to go to hospital even for a night I worry about them and then of course anxiety is like a drug toAF. Anyway don’t know if we can mention names but I have found a pretty good alcohol free lager and some lovely ciders. Especially for those long summer evenings. Also the new low alcohol low calorie gin and tonic is very good. Found a lovely dealcoholised red wine. I too don’t miss the next day feeling. We have to get used to it for our health sake. And people can always count on us to do the tidying up after a party. Ha ha. Love to everyone.
I gave up too 2 years ago, hardly ever get an episode, I think it causes it in my case..i actually had the one bad afib episode after a heavy partying weekend, ended up in hospital and was told I had afib, I haven't had anything since but drinking brings it on I think, I've had the odd wine but mostly don't bother anymore and I'm fine, I stopped meds apart from Apixaban but I want to stop this too, good luck xx
Hi Hidden . A few months ago I would have jumped into this discussion saying I drink and it doesn't affect my AF. Sadly, I can't say that now as the last two sessions of AF have, I think, been induced by drinking alcohol. Some in this thread have said that alcohol following a heavy meal is the trigger, and that might well apply. Some have said take a drink of water (a whole glass full, not a few sips) between drinks, and that has worked for me too. I used to go to beer festivals and do that and got through them, rolling home well drunk with no sign of AF. I wouldn't risk it now.
What I can say, from reading on this forum for a long time, is that we are all different, and we all need to find our own way. It sounds as if you are in continuous AF, while mine is paroxysmal and lasts 8 to 12 hours when it hits me.
I suggest that you take all this onboard, avoid heavy meals before drinking and drink water in between drinks (it slows you down as well, which is good). Good luck, and enjoy finding out what you can and can't get away with!
I have permanent AF as ablation was not a possibility because my right atrium is enlarged. Nonetheless I enjoy a couple of drams of Scotch a day and it doesn't seem to have any effect on my heart rate. I am on 7.5 mg of bisoprolol and a pacemaker.
Tuttle4• in reply to
Hello, my husband has permanent afib as well. He quit drinking. His ef is 30%. Do you have a decreased ejection fraction as well?
I was interested in your comment about volume of food. I have a couple of whiskies a day with seemingly no adverse symptoms. However if I eat too much I become aware of my PAF and get palpitations and breathlessness.
Yes I've given up almost completely (boringly I stick to slightly warm tap water). I did have a glass of mulled wine on Christmas day and also a glass of prosecco later on plus another on boxing day. Ended up in hospital boxing night with an attack of Afib. They said it was attributed to flu virus and constant coughing spasms, but I'm not so sure it wasn't the alcohol. Definitely before I was diagnosed with Afib whenever I had what I called a "good" evening with friends or special occasions, I did have thumping and bumping during the night sooooo, but I wasn't away what it was at the time. I do miss having the occasional drink with friends especially when I see them relaxing and being "happy", but I tell myself it's probably not worth it.
Having said all that when my husband had a heart attack 18 years ago (congenital not through anything else) he was told by the professor of cardiology that he should drink 28 units of alcohol a week. He did ask if he could save them up for Saturday night, but cardiologist didn't have much sense of humour.
Lastly my Aunt, who lived to a good age, was told to have a unit of whisky every day as it was very good for her.
Anyway sorry for the long diatribe. You keep well
Best wishes
Well, when I had my anticoagulant education session at the hospital, ( a one to one with a nurse), the only contraindications I was warned about were grapefruit and St John’s Wort. Mine is PAF. I haven’t avoided alcohol, although I have very little, and mostly at weekends.
My episodes have no rhyme nor reason and haven't ever been triggered by alcohol. But I have cut down to occasional drinking in preparation for the day when it might. I would hate to give up completely but would if I had to.
I am not sure if alcohol is a trigger for me . We have always had a glass of wine with our main meal. We used to drnk half a bottle between us. Even before Afib reared it's ugly head in 2015 I cut back to one small glass. Since my first episode this year I cut back to a half glass. Both subsequent episodes I had had a bit more but there were also other factors.
I had a PVI cryo-ablation for PAF exactly 5 months ago, and since that time I've been completely free of a-fib and ectopics. I fast-walk 3 to 4 miles every day on my treadmill and feel great. Recently I began drinking one (only 1) bottle of light beer (341 ml / 4% ABV) each day before my evening meal, and I must say I've been enjoying it. When I asked him my EP said that one drink per day for me is allowable, but no more than that. If I want to have a second beer I drink a non-alcoholic one - there are several good ones available nowadays.
Best wishes to all.
- Richard
Pretty much the same here. I can feel quite ill if I've had more than one medium sized serving of food. Starters and puddings are a no no. I now only eat at breakfast time, usually a couple of slices of toast and a fried egg and a couple of cups of coffee (not the instant muck!!!), and then again about 6 pm before going to bed at 11.
I stopped drinking alcohol when 1st diagnosed and then experimented. Looked at what might get my heart a bit excited, like caffeine, alcohol, exercise, certain foods etc and then very gently started adding them back in to my life. So, I do drink caffeine and wine and keep taking my meds. If my heart goes back to AF then I'd stop, of course. For me, I feel it's about moderation and looking at what the triggers are for us as individuals. I try to enjoy life, book holidays, go out and have fun and luckily for me my meds are keeping things pretty stable for the time being. I'll adjust if my AF episodes increase. Do what works for you and enjoy life.
• in reply toTerritwinks
That’s good advice 👍
Very interesting thread, thx for starting. I have had two episodes of afib, one about a year ago, brought out by drugs, one last April where I had a cardioversion. Since then, I have experimented with alcohol, none, one or two glasses of wine, one cocktail. A beer. I now have either 1 or 2 glasses of wine a day, or a cocktail. Maybe a beer once in a while, although I was never a big beer drinker. These amounts of alcohol don't seem to affect me. However, if I have a big meal at dinner, and maybe an extra glass of wine, I will wake up in the night a couple of times digesting things. Not sure it is the meal or the wine or the combination, but I try and avoid that. Deep breathing helps. Plus I make sure to drink an adequate supply of water as the day and evening goes on. Hope this is helpful. Seems to me that general medical advice is very helpful, and then has to be applied individually and we all need to experiment carefully about things that matter.
Hi Blackcrow1
I have af like everyone else but I have the odd drink, only in moderation. My moto is " All things in moderation" and I stick to it, except when it comes to chocolate and cake and biscuits ( oh dear!) An odd drink doesn't seem to do me any harm, but then we are all different. Don't go over the top and see how it goes. Even us af,ers have to enjoy ourselves.
Regards Flyer.
• in reply toFlyer2820
Thankyou ❤️
I recently asked my cardiologist about this. He said that, in my case, as long as I stick to the recommended guidelines then I should be fine. Having said that, knowing it is a trigger (although not for me apparently), I drink rarely. I still have a Christmas drink or the odd pint if the mood takes me. Most friends now don't bat an eyelid if I sit a round out or order a non-alcoholic pint. Thank God they are starting to taste OK!
Yes i have gave drink up liked a glass of wine but have nothing now holidays i am scare to go on but hope that will pass went abroad every year but now not sure
Hello all:
I'm 200 lbs. male and 75 yrs. young. Very active outside in these White Mtns. I enjoy 3 drinks (A whiskey & 2 beers drank over 2-3 hrs.) a day usually around 5 to 8PM after my activities and have perhaps missed not doing this maybe 20 times over this period and then the likelyhood I was sick would account for 50% of that time. One heart doctor told me to stop drinking because alcohol is toxic to the heart so I did for 3 to 4 weeks 20 yrs. ago but then decided to go my merry way again. Here's what I've found out about myself.
During Christmas and family/friends socials if I am active and drink an extra amount over the 3 I may at times later (next day or so) go into A-Fib but only when I get exhausted. In the course of a year I may go into A-Fib 4 times on average and it is usually associated with a lot of exercise (skiing, and outdoor game and fun activities) and an extra beer. No always but enough for me to be aware that A-Fib is following me everywhere if I'm not careful. When I don't get exhausted and watch my drinking I'm fine.
When I do go into A-Fib often it's in middle of the night after a tiring day and I get up at 1 to 3 in the morning for the bathroom or a drink which is normal for me. I carry 300 mgs. of Flacanide and was told to take it when A-fib starts. But I hate any pill medication and found that 200 mgs. works just as well and my doctor says, then OK. He also told me that a few drinks a day is OK and to continue on. Also, sometimes I can come out of A-Fib without the Flacanide by lying down and waiting it out. If I awake next morning or ams til in A-fib after 12 hours I'll take the 200 mgs., lie down or go to bed and am out of A-Fib when I awake.
Conclusion: Alcohol is definately a factor in A-Fib but usually when I've overdone it with activities and extra socializing so I'm doing my best to curb my enthusiasm.
Will it get worse with time, I suspect so but uncertain. I've never been drunk and if I eat something around 5 to 8 my craving/habit is diminished to 2 beers. I really think it's OK to drink moderately with A-Fib but heavy activity and socializing and getting tired sets you up for a bout.
I hate to say it but I've had A-Fib so many times over the past 20 years that I think I understand it and when I'm setting myself up for a bout of it, I then slow down. I hope this helps.
I can have a few gluten free beers and that is pretty much it. Those don't bother my heart and wheat free/gf vodka in small amounts is ok too. I have Tito's and tonic and can have a couple and be fine but no more than that.
Hi there. My husband gave up and has definately helped. Alcohol is without a major trigger.
Don't drink to excess, don't have that extra drink if you're tired or worn down and don't drink more than two beers or 2 wines if you've been stressed out and tired from travel or meetings. That's when I seem to set myself up for A-Fib. Otherwise, if healthy and rested drink away but stay on the low scale of the buzz zone.
I was told over 20 yrs. ago by my 1st heart doctor (who didn't drink) that alcohol is a heart toxin and to stop drinking. I did for a month but decided to take my chances and see for myself. I'm sorry but A-Fib is so personal and there's so many professional heart doctor answers to this common problem (including it's A-OK to have a few drinks every day) that I say see for yourself.
BUT, be prudent, drink to enjoy your settings but don't overdo especially if strssed, over stressed or just plain exhausted as you'll have lousy sleep and be setting yourself up for A-Fib the next day or two. I'm glad at 75 I never stopped because I enjoy a drink or two as it ads much to my enjoyment of life. I just know where I am all the time when I drink.
First found out I had a permanent a flutter in 2006 no drugs worked only cardioversion spent hours researching on Google no drinking etc etc A real goody goody.Went back into flutter on first day of holiday so I thought I may as well have a few drinks .after a couple of pints my heart was back in to normal so would have a few extra just in case! Finally had an ablation which cured aflutter but have had proxy afib ever since 2008 . Still have a few pints of lager rarely more than 4 but on holiday usually have 5or 6 a day especially when it's very hot weather . I don't do binge drinking as this is trigger I just take it easy .Now get a AF attacks twice a week normally caused by night shifts/ fatigue/ tiredness. I had got AF again on holiday just recently September in Crete just as we were going out with friends for our evening meal so suggested a couple of swift ones that brought my heart back to normal save waiting up to 8 hrs . Treat AF like a headache these days but still take a baby aspirin each day can't take most drugs as they affect my heart rate which at normal rest is low 40s .When I get an attackI tend to walk it off at a decent pace my HR goes through the roof but brings me back to normal 15 min to 1.5 hrs)quicker than pip which left me feeling groggy after.Try to lead as normal life as possible but it does get me down when I'm in AF but I just carry as normal, lifes to short . Haven't seen a doctor since 2010 may get back in the loop see if there is anything new on offer as twice a week gets a bit too much but our GPS are useless you have to phone at 8 am each morning and when I do get through they're all gone ,try next day .It hard to do this especially when you work full time .
Hi BC I gave up alcohol when I was diagnosed with P-AF .
I realised I had slipped into the habit of drinking more than I ought to and in order to try control my P-AF I needed to lose weight and change my lifestyle.
Alcohol contains negative calories, I didn't need them. Being on medication for AF carries a greater risk if you fall, alcohol can lead to more falls and lastly, I don't need anymore chemicals to add to those I now take in my medication.
With much sadness, I gave my little supply of wine to a neighbour and I haven't looked back .
If i have more than a beer(maybe 2) I'll be having problems! If you have afib you really have to quit, its probably the worst trigger there is!
I'm asymptomatic so I have no idea when I am in afib or what triggers it. I can tell I've been in it later by the way I feel. So I just go ahead and have my beer!
I was diagnosed in June of 2018 and had my ablation in September. Since the diagnosis, I have had maybe 2-3 glasses of wine a week, except after the ablation, when I abstained for 2 months. I am fine with the 2-3 glasses per week, but what I am really upset about is that I had to give up caffeine! It triggered some flutters recently, and the doctor said to stop it and give it at least a year from the ablation before I try again. If you think that alcohol is a trigger, I would advise abstinence. It probably isn't worth it.
Interesting to read everyone's differing reactions to alcohol.
I have paroxysmal AF and discovered that if I have 'too much alcohol' II wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious and realize I'm in AF and have been hospitalized 3 times and later discharged when they got it under control. The strange thing is that other times I can have a higher consumpion and totally get away with it. No problem. Confusing!
Why?
Can it be the food I'm eating with my wine ? BBQ steak, perhaps harder to digest, which was before my last episode.
Is white wine more likely than red to set me off or vice-versa.... no idea?
General backgound of stress?
I only know that alcohol has proved to be a trigger as I've only had one episode that didn't include any alcohol for a week before and that was after a very strenuous gym session.
The only thing I have managed to identify -which might help others- is to be vigilant on the strength of the wine. After the last 2 AF episodes, I realised the wine we had been quaffing was 14.5% and 15% strength.
*Learning:- I now will avoid all wine of more than 13.5% Max (which has worked out well ...so far).
*I recognise sleep aponea as a trigger (perhaps in combination with alcohol). I have sleep apnoea and had 2 episodes of AF during a period when my CPAP mask wasn't fitting properly and I would wake up with a jolt and the AF irregular palpitations.
I also suspect a connection with consumption and its effect on the Vagus Nerve in the stomach and AF. I might be talking bollocks but on a couple of occasions I have had a cigar after wine and had indigestion, palpitations and gone into AF later when lying down in bed. The same with no cigar but little single malt whisky 'nightcap'.
Most people with Paroxysmal AF - often the fore-runner of full AF - are trying hard to understand their triggers.
In ALMOST all episodes Flecainide has beaten it - 100mg, 1 hour later 100mg and if still strong AF 2 hrs after that a third one (rarely necessary). I believe this is more than the recommended dose, which it has worked for me - but DO check your max dosage with your doctor to get advice on dosage and intervals between.
Hopefully sharing my prime suspects triggers, might help others.
I have a 5oz glass of red wine with dinner each night with no problem. My doctor told me it is ok and good for you if you have no other health issues.
I am PAF and have been for several years and on apixoban. I have no problem with alcohol, or indeed coffee. I have a couple of glasses of red wine with dinner two or three times a week and 2 cups of good coffee each morning.
I’m more (or was).... more of a binger....
I’m getting used to none now.... slowly!!
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
AF and alcohol.
Hi. I have now been in AF permanently for the past eight weeks, during which time I have steered...
Drinking alcohol with AF
As we approach the Christmas season, what's is the advice on drinking? I only have the odd glass of...
AF attack or Tachycardia after drinking Alcohol
Paying the price maybe! I celebrated a family members Birthday 7 days ago and drank more than I...
AF and alcohol
Hi all, I’m Greig, 42yo and was diagnosed with AF early 2017. I had a Cardioversion which switched...
Two Ablations and sadly AF returned...
I had my second ablation in Feb 2015 and everything went well. I get the odd ectopic here and there...
AF and alcohol 
Alcohol and AF
Warfarin and af
