Alcohol Cardioversion

[Ippo]

I think this is a great site to understand AF and people’s experiences.

As alcohol is known to set off AF, I would like to know if anyone has had the opposite happen. If it can disturb electrical signals, can it break a perpetual flutter? I have had it happen on a few occasions and believe it can, but have searched and found no mention of this phenomenon elsewhere.

I had an ablation with cardioinsight last March for fibrillation. It worked and has still worked for fibrillation, but within hours after leaving I then had flutter. Tried a Cardioversion after one month and it worked for 2 days, then back to perpetual flutter. After a few more months of Corderone and Concor and no effect, decided to gave a few drinks one night and more than I should have. Next morning I was in NSR. Didn’t last long 3-4 days, but then a month later did it again and also NSR. A bit longer that time .

Has second ablation Nov for flutter and 3 days later perpetual Tach. After 5 weeks had Cardioversion and it lasted 3 months until last week. Loaded up with Corderone and Concor and Vermapamil and could not chemically cardiovert. After 7 days figured no chance to go back to NSR without electric Cardioversion. Then went out for dinner kSt week and said what the heck, and had some wine and drinks.

The next morning could feel weird electrical feelings. Then by noon it flipped back to NSR.

Sorry about long post but I think it is interesting. My theory is that if it can affect your electrical path and cause AF, it might also be able to break that cycle . Last resort ?

[Kellyjelly]

I really don’t know about your interesting theory but I would be too scared to try it. I’m so debilitated by the various arrhythmias I’ve had that I couldn’t have consumed alcohol if my life depended on it 🥴

[HiloHairy]

If one reads this forum in exclusion of other sources, one would believe that alcohol is a universal trigger. Well folks, thankfully it's not for me. I have two, occasionally three drinks every evening and the relaxation they give keeps me from having ectopics in the evening. My trigger from hell is sodium. It's forced me to be very careful when I eat in restaurants. I think that increasing my potassium appears to help but if I were to eat a typical American fast food meal of burger with french fries I would be nearly guaranteed an Afib event.

[2dekcol in reply to HiloHairy]

How does your sodium read on blood tests? Mine always stands out as low. But that might be unrelated to sodium as a trigger.

[HiloHairy in reply to 2dekcol]

If memory serves me, my sodium measurements have always been low to normal as well. It's the short-term consumption from a meal that triggers my events.

[Jfjfern in reply to HiloHairy]

My trigger is also sodium . I only had 2 small pieces of hallumi cheese and I was up most of the night hot with palpitations . Have you got any tips to help symptoms? You mention potassium . It’s so hard to avoid some times I dont even know what I have eaten that has got it in. It’s so depressing at times having to worry about food triggers all the time.

[HiloHairy in reply to Jfjfern]

The only thing I found to help with my symptoms once I'm in an event is to take a small dose of clonazepam. It predictably takes the edge off the anxiety. I haven't yet had a chance to ask my cardiologist if there's any danger in doing this. I wonder also if there could be any danger in drinking alcohol once in an event.

Regarding potassium, I've noticed that if my meals during the day contain ingredients that are rich in potassium I have less ectopics and am less likely to have an event. Because of this I've started to take a few potassium capsules when my meals don't contain much of it.

[Mari4325 in reply to HiloHairy]

Sodium is my trigger also but mine leans toward high BP if I don't watch my diet...I usually eat in Rest. that will cook my food without salt and leave off the sauces like the local Chinese Rest which uses fresh vegetables.

[CDreamer]

Well an interesting hypothesis - as I have never tolerated alcohol very well not one I’m going to try either. I found Afl more symptomatic than lone AF so sympathise.

[Bertiedette]

Many years ago when I was undiagnosed with PAF I was told that it was just panic attacks. Every time that I felt flutter I would gulp down any alcohol and it always worked... I very nearly became alchoholic I was so scared every time..Finally a new GP came to my home .in the old days (when they did) examined me was sent in to A.E he even came with me.

After about Twenty years of basically thinking that I was mentally ill I was diagnosed...I do believe that in the past that it helped me..Then one day around ten years ago I had a drink and triggered the worse attack ever just a couple of sips. I have never touched a drop since...Nobody warned me ,no Google or forums then.

[Jupiter33]

I had an ablation 4 weeks ago but before then, if I had a run of AF a few drinks would always put me back into NSR. I think your theory is credible. Since my ablation I've been in NSR so can't test the theory anymore.

[Marytew]

Similar to Jupiter33, I also think that your theory is credible. I have found that a small galss of wine has, on occassion, appeared to settle an episode of AF.

[HiloHairy in reply to Marytew]

Have either of you, or for that matter anyone else, sounded your cardiologist about your drinking to end an Afib event?

I'm tempted to try it but somewhat afraid to.

[Marytew in reply to HiloHairy]

I haven’t. I believe I wouldn’t get far asking my cardiologist as I think that their response would either be noncommittal, or they would err on the side of caution and advise against. I have therefore just accepted that, for me, a small glass of wine appears to help (on the understanding that everyone is different) and left it at that.

[EngMac]

Since I think AF can be caused by nerves in the back and neck being compromised, maybe the alcohol is relaxing these nerves or changing them in some way to start or stop AF. I don't think there has been much study in this nerve possibility area.

[djbgatekeeper]

Alcohol was my worst trigger for AF so as you say it must affect the electrical signals in some way. Sounds to me like you have the opposite reaction so lucky you I suppose! Best wishes and I hope you find permanent NSR soon 👍

[HiloHairy]

If alcohol is a trigger for you, how long after drinking does the arrhythmia usually kick in?