I have had PAF for about six years it started after drinking alcohol. For a long time sometimes I could drink and it didn’t set it off and occasionally I got attacks without a drink. However just recently even one sip of alcohol triggers an attack. The reaction is so quick it must be as soon as it hits my stomach. Just wondering if anyone else has such a sudden reaction
Jane
Yes that is how my AF started many years ago. Stopped drinking very quickly. Even as soon as it hit my mouth. Worst ever occasion was some chocolate sauce I didn't know was laced with brandy .
So if you stopped drinking I take it that the attacks continued (maybe because the body had learnt to do that) but less frequently?
It’s reassuring to know that happens to someone else - although not much comfort for you !
Once I cut out alcohol the AF went away for maybe ten or fiftyeen years but back then nobody ever diagnosed it. When it returned it took another ten years of miss-diagnosis before a house move took me to a new doctor who's mother had AF and thus was aware of it. That was 2004.
Hello Jane.
Yep for some a sniff of booze can trigger afib - for other's a few beers is ok. I'm ok with a couple but don't push my luck. I know what will happen if I do !
It's a shame if you enjoy a drink. However best keep away if it triggers afib.
Paul
I know. It’s not that I am bothered about drinking as such, I never drink at home, it’s just that it’s difficult socially, and knowing what soft drink is best
I understand. I'm not to sure about which soft drinks are best - maybe just orange juice or the like (not grapefruit). I'm sure though someone will comment on the thread and offer some further advice.
Paul
I would avoid any soft drinks with artificial sweetners and maybe not fizzy ones. Unfortunately you will only find out by trying to see which ones suit you. There's nothing wrong with drinking plain water. Its a shame we feel obliged to imbibe because others are but i know we do. I met one guy in my heart rehab class earlier this year who could drink beer but not wine.
Paul. Why not grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit juice cannot be drunk with certain drugs such as amiadarone.
I have half a grapefruit every morning but only on apaxiban ?
Grapefruit has an enzyme in it that interacts badly with many meds inc Apixaban I believe xx
You are on target:
goodrx.com/blog/medications...
Thank you useful link!
Ps on ablation list now . I mentioned what you told me about rotoraries being made with such frequent ,although brief,episodes.
It seemed to help! X
Good for you Wilsond. It is important to give a push when you become persistent. At the time of the post two months ago, you had been persistent for 6 weeks. Unless you had a cardioversion and lucky to remain in sinus , my calculations rest at 3 1/2 months. Did they give you a ball park figure of the ablation date, and did you place yourself on the cancellation list? Try to stay under that 6 month figure. I don't know if I sent you this link:
afsymposium.com/library/201...
Zero in on the section that targets how fast the rotors spread while persistent.
Water is always the best!
Yes but in some social settings difficult to just drink water
I was a big alcohol drinker until 7 years ago, when I was diagnosed with a fatty liver and the possibility of cirrhosis in a year if I didn't stop. Alcohol wasn't a driver of AF for me though. Over the last 3 or 4 years I've had episodes of AF and they've all started after my gastric system has been upset. As a result of that I drink still water all the time, at bars, dinner parties, posh balls, wherever. All my friends know so it's never a problem, no matter the social situation. If people don't know me and ask why I don't drink, I just explain that I used to drink a lot and because of that, I can't do it at all now.
Elderflower cordial is a pleasant drink. I was told after a big stroke caused by Afib. No alcohol, fizzy drinks, coffee, tea or chocolate. I do still have 1 mug of tea in the morning with no ill effects. I do miss having the occasional alcoholic drink even though l was only a social drinker.
There is no doubt that alcohol is a trigger for Afib, In some even a small amount will trigger AFib ,others have a higher tolerance. I enjoy a couple of beers every now and then, but I have found the best thing to do if you want to enjoy a drink socially then head for 0% alcohol beer...Its like having a beer when your not having a beer LOL!!
One sip of alcohol setting off AF is more likely to be the Vagus Nerve from the brain to the heart than the alcohol going via the stomach to the heart in an instant. But either way you need to avoid it. Alternatives socially are not easy to find avoid Tonic water and fizzy very sweet drinks. I tend to alternate between orange and tomato juice as the best of a bad bunch, still water ideal. I have also been alright with some non-alcoholic beers.
Does fizzy stuff trigger Afib?
I have read it can (perhaps more so with a meal). I believe the science is that the gas can with some people bloat the stomach, press on the Vagus Nerve and if already over sensitive that can be enough to set AF off.
That’s given me a thought. A lot of alcohol is fizzy - lager, Prosecco, spirits with sparkling mixers etc so the fizz might be the cause as much as the alcohol
Some, like myself, are extremely allergic to tonic. Gin and tonic will have me vomiting for days. At a banquet, I accidentally mixed Compari with with tonic rather than with soda. The reaction was so extreme , especially with vomiting, that i had to leave the banquet and someone else had to drive my car home and tuck me in.
Alcohol does not trigger my afib or flutter if I drink socially ie don’t have too much . If I overdo it then 2 or 3 am in the morning I go into afib. Needless to say having discovered that ... I am careful with what I drink .
For me triggers are not obvious I can be sat quietly or drinking decaf and it just may start
Yes alcohol triggered my af too. Stopped drinking alcohol completely. I'm sure my body is a lot better for it and probably wouldn't have stopped otherwise. So it's done me a favour.😊
Yes, and no. Everyone looks for triggers, but rarely find them. You are dealing with a chimera. I have become convinced that it is totally random. I've had that effect, where a single drink sets it off, but I've also found that prior hydration, food situation and stress were also contributing. Now, if I feel fine, have been drinking water regularly all day, am fed regularly and not stressed, a drink or two does no harm at all.
Everyone is different. Look after yourself and pay attention to the details of that, and try to ignore the beast that might lie in wait.
I agree, I don’t think any certain thing triggers it it just happens. It happens while I’m just resting sitting down. It also happens while taking a shower. So should I not take too many showers.
I agree completely. For me, I think hydration and stress levels overall determine what other triggers then come into play...like alcohol. My situation is the same...if I have exercised during the day, have been properly hydrated and not particularly stressed, then having a drink or a couple of glasses of wine has no impact. I also find meditation and tai chi help with the stress issue. Plus, I had an ablation 4 months ago, so far so good.
I agree with you. Had the same experience like you. Hydration is so important, especially as I attend excercise classes. Pilates and Tai Chi have helped greatly in reducing the stress level and keeping the body gently moving. Have cut out alcohol completely , as I have found a correlation between having more than a couple of glasses of wine that have been a trigger in the past. I am booked in for my first ablation in J.anuary.
Alcohol causes my AF I always had a skiped beat then I had to go to hospital in Madeira due to excessive drinking. I was looked after and cardioverted which worked for 4 months .Don't touch alcohol anymore 2 years now still have mild AF but good to know the cause take 1.25 bisoprolol and riveroxaban.
Why should we avoid Tonic Water?
Contains quinine ..an anti malarial remedy. It was developed in the Tropics for colonials to drink their gin with
I used to drink diet tonic water and ice( pretending it was a g n t!) But eventually realised it was no good ,for me anyway.
X
AF and alcohol.
Alcohol and AFib
Alcohol and Afib
Alcohol 
