Quote from interview: We don't think that these substances are both necessary and sufficient to cause AF, but rather all of us have a propensity to AF and there's a broad spectrum. Some people are never going to get AF no matter what they're exposed to. Some people are going to get AF no matter what they avoid. What we're trying to find is a bit of a sweet spot and what's idiosyncratic to a given patient that might help them with their AF.
Sums up my experience. This was a very interesting survey as it was patient app self reporting and monitoring. You do need to join Medscape to access and it is in plain English or video conversation or understandable.
I would say abstinence from alcohol but I will have a very occasional white wine spritzer or glass of champagne.
I also believe how you react will depend upon age, weight, gender & co-morbidities. Be guided by your body’s response, not others.
But also know there is no ‘safe’ limit as it has been shown that even very moderate drinker causes scarring on the heart which in turn causes AF.
We are all individuals and there is no common ground here but for me even a sniff of alcohol affected me badly even before anybody diagnosed AF. My worst occasion was with profiteroles dipped in chocolate sauce which had been laced with brandy. One bite and I was gasping for breath with a heart rate up in the 200s. In my view why take the risk? If you are worried about social drinking there are plenty of soft drinks that are very acceptable.
I love the title of your thread 'part time AF'. I don't think you can be a 'part time' afibber - it's either there or it's not. Sure it can come and go but it doesn't work shifts.
Regarding a drink. Some can take a beer and others not. Booze drinking is very likely to set it off though.
I was originally told by my cardiologist that wine in moderation would be acceptable with my diagnosis of PAF. When a Holter monitor showed a run of NSVT (non-sustained ventricular tachycardia) he told me that I would be strongly advised to avoid alcohol completely.
My thought is that it depends, not only on an individual's tolerance to AF and alcohol, but also what type of arrhythmia may be lurking in the background and which itself might be triggered by alcohol.
If your doc has advised abstinence, then I would follow that advice - otherwise it is a matter of 'try it and see'. I really miss a nice glass of wine. ☹️
When I was formally diagnosed about 6 months ago I stopped drinking alcohol altogether as didn’t want to trigger AF. (Not that I was a big drinker - probably 3-4 small wines/champagne over the weekend).
However the AF seems to have settled down in the last couple of months, probably due to an increased dose of Bisoprolol, and possibly the fact that I’m a bit more relaxed about the diagnosis now, and so I have been having 1-2 small glasses over the weekend again with no ill-effects so far.
Having said that I could take it or leave it if necessary.
No definitive answer I suspect. For several reasons: alcohol affects people differently, depends how many other lifestyle changes have been made (a personal theory - if you have made big changes elsewhere you are more likely to be able to tolerate relaxation in one area) and lastly the mind plays a role via the Vagus Nerve (i.e. if you think alcohol will cause AF).
For me, I just abstain. Yes, I miss it but not that much that I want to court AF.
The study I gave the link to takes into account the belief that if you think it may be a trigger, it will be and interestingly the numbers still came out that alcohol and arrythmias are not a good mix, even though they may not be triggers for AF for some people.
I would be more worried about the scarring on the heart than vagus nerve with alcohol.
I have low level flutter that doesn't appear to be affected by a glass of beer or wine. I don't drink more than that as I take medication for blood pressure and abnormal cells in my prostate.
For me alcohol is a trigger for AF. I noticed on 2 subsequent occasions I went into AF after a glass of wine so I avoid alcohol now. Sometimes it’s hard but I’d rather do that than go through a nasty AF episode. I found it’s just wasn’t worth it.
I don't touch alcohol at all, I think I'm one of the people who "if I believe it'll trigger me, it will". Same for coffee (decaff only now), and, weirdly, anything fizzy. I had two episodes after one mouthful of champagne each time, and another with fizzy water. You'll always find me on the tap water at parties....🎶🎉
Sorry I can't give my own experience as I've never bothered with alcohol (which I'm now grateful for, having been looked at as if I have two heads any time I've ever refused alcohol during my adult lifetime!) But, just wanted to suggest low alcohol or alcohol free versions of your favourite tipple? My vice is chocolate. I'd eat it by the lorry load but the resulting weight gain isn't worth it. Sadly there is no low calorie version 😐
I can have 3 medium glasses of wine a week, could maybe have more, but don’t want to risk it. Doesn’t seem to be a trigger for me, but everyone is different. Even decaf coffee doesn’t like me.
Alcohol was/is my trigger for Af. The 7 or 8 years I had paf alcohol was always the trigger. Had cryo ablation sept 14 and I’ve been fine since. Had my first beers at a funeral the other day and touch wood no Af. But we are all different
I could probably get away with a light white wine but definitely nothing heavy like port, sherry, brandy etc even in food. It's easier for me just to avoid all alcohol as I'm not particularly fussed. I don't want to chance my luck as I ended up in A &E 12 months ago and I'll do anything to avoid a repeat experience.
Following my CV I drank too much at an event and it was quite a lot! Woke at 5.30 with my hear racing which lasted for 10 hours. That gave me a scare and I stopped all alcohol for a week and started with one beer and if that was okay, had a bit more. Have now got back to a few beers or wine or some of each with no issues. Drinking soft drinks and staying hydrated (when drinking alcohol) is essential says my cardiologist and so far so good.
Matt The usual thing to stress here is everyone is different, but since you ask. I have Paroxysmal AF, currently running at 1 episode every week. I still drink alcohol and at a level of amount/frequency similar to yours. I find it does NOT trigger AF with me. I think it may be a trigger if I have a more than 2/3 glasses of wine or more than 2 pints of medium/low strength beer (but even if I do drink more, then this does not automatically mean I get AF). The other major trigger for me is 'endurance' exercise (I am a mountaineer/fellwalker). I believe that having an alcoholic drink following a long day in the hills carries the greatest risk of an AF episode. So, if you know of what triggers your episodes, then avoid multiple triggers.
I am sure Alcohol is a trigger if I drink too much
For me one or an absolute max of two pints of beer are a limit
I’ve recently learnt that wine Is worse than beer because of the sulphites. This is in both a good medical survey I read and confirmed by Sanjay Gupta.
I’ve become an expert on alcohol free beers!! and have a pint of alcohol beer a week
Everyone is different, when you’ve had too much you’ll know about it but unfortunately you’ll be in AF so it’s too late. I stopped all alcohol as soon as I realised what was happening, about 8 years ago, there are so many alcohol free drinks around. It took a little while to get used too, not having a glass of wine but I feel so much better without it. It’s not worth the ‘ pounding , jumping, rapid and pausing ‘ heartbeat.
I loved my red wine in decent quantities reasonably regularly but when once small glass kicked an AF episode off 6 years ago I stopped immediately as I simply wouldn't want to risk it as I hate AF so much. I was really surprised how little I missed it and do feel good with myself for stopping it. At the same time I realised I only drank about one glass of water a day now its 2 litres. The downside is my grown up kids rib me rotten and often pretend to polish my halo saying how saintly I am!
Prior to AF diagnosis 20 years ago,I would wake up with a racing heart after one too many drinks,I'm not sure whether that was a pre cursor to having AF, but with a combination of being pretty anxious, and having episodes after bending over and drinking fizzy drinks I decided to cut out alcohol completely. My AF episodes have lessened and quality of life is much better ,so I think for me it was the right decision,it's not the same for everyone. How I miss though settling down to watch Strictly Come Dancing with a glass of red wine !!
As I have got older (70's now) my alcohol toleration has slowly worsened and the leaflet that came with my Apixaban stopped me drinking totally, but very slowly I have gone back to intermittent lower levels of mainly red wine as it relaxes me, certainly in social settings. Relaxing of course is supposedly good for AF and to date it seems to be working so I guess, as so many have said, we are all different and this was based on professional advice too with the caveat of being measured and careful.
I have permanent asymptomatic AF. In the last 5 months I've drank 3 bottles of red wine and one bottle of cider. I have drank tea and cola. I have had no coffee for 13 years.I have enjoyed all that drink, with no obvious side effects.
We are all different, so I cannot advise what effect alcohol will have on you.
I can drink as much beer/lager as I like and as often as I like with no OBVIOUS effect on my AF. Of course I am not saying that alcohol doesn't affect my health in other ways. But, I am not overweight and I exercise regularly with no OBVIOUS effect on my AF. Should this change and become obvious then I will act accordingly. So each of us is different. Depends how much you like beer/lager. I am 72 and was diagnosed with AF four years ago.
through trial and error i now know alcohol triggers paf for me, then there is also the interaction with any meds you may be on, i do like a drink but mostly abstain nowadays
Prior to my Ablation I noticed drinking wine with meals sometimes causes Af but not always. I haven't had any alcohol since my Ablation even though the the EP has recently said a glass was allowed. I still haven't had any alcohol because I nearly had a glass out in the Summer but decided not too. That evening was one of 2 early morning I have had a fast heart beat. I realise by not drinking it is easier not to be in the position of not knowing if alcohol has caused a problem.
Alcohol was a major trigger for my a-fib. When I first realized this, I cut my alcohol to only a half-glass of wine when out with friends. It made no difference as it still brought on a-fib. What's the point of only a half-glass, right? --so I quit alcohol for good 7 years ago. However, the damage was done.
I have no trouble with gluten free beer but most other alcohol after 2 glasses will for sure set me off. I found recently after drinking alcohol and having heart trouble, I drank some alkaline water and my heart almost immediately settled down. I haven’t drank alcohol again to test this to see if I can replicate this but found it very interesting.
Hi.With my PF I gave up wine, which may or may not have been a trigger and stuck to Beer or Cider.I very rarely drink in the house and sort of save it up for the occasional social gathering or meal out.So far the odd Beer or two ( max three) has not been a problem but as you say we are all different, so tread carefully.
Hi The only time I drink alcohol (or coffee) is when I am already in an AFib episode, and even then I just have a taste to remind me what I am missing. I never was much of a drinker anyway. Sometimes in the summer I get away with a half pint of shandy. Typically l have a 24 to 48 hour episode about 4 times a month. Riding a bike helps to get rid of it. Mind you, riding sometimes brings it on. I'm 83 years old and have had A F for a decade or so,but still do my birthday rides - same number of miles in a day as my age, although I broke my hip last year so had to resort to 83 miles in 24hours this year.
I am on Eliquis and Flecainide. Never been much of a drinker but love champagne occasionally. I have also had one vodka tonic before I eat dinner occasionally and never noticed it brought on AF. Saturday went to BBQ place with my family and had a beer with my food. No problem but will stress I do this only occasionally and always limit it to one. Also I am not a big eater and very slim. I have noticed if I do eat more than normal, which is rare, I will have a faster heart beat than normal for a while even though it hasn’t gone into full blown AF. Stress seems to be a BIG trigger for me. Now that I have AF off and on for couple years I am more relaxed about it and I think that helps. Extra Flecainide helps. I tried to do PIP with Flecainide but had AF about every ten days and a 50 mg, Flecainide would put me back in NSR in about 30 minutes, I went back in Flecainide 50 mg. Twice a day as off of it I also had lots of premature beats that were bothersome. I guess AF can change the way we live our life. I am almost 84 so not sure it makes much difference for me!!!!
I do not think alcohol is a trigger for my afib. I drink one small glass of wine ( a sherry glass!) with my principal meal. If we eat out we share a half bottle so twice as much. I have noticed though that my tolerance for the tipsy making effects of alcohol has decreased a lot since I reduced consumption. When I was young I could drink much more before feeling any effect . I have had to give up coffee though as it always now brings on palpitations.
Many and varied responses here. The advice that I will give is: always take water in equal measure if you are drinking. Whether you water your wine as the French often do, or else follow a can of beer with a full glass of water, that's up to you. It's key to stay hydrated, and alcohol will dehydrate you. Also, the watering slows you down, so you can drink for longer without going over the top.
One or two beers or 2 glasses of wine (light beers and white wine best) OK. Have not tried more.
Sugar only in low quantities
Beer/wine and sugar - expect a reaction
Beer/wine, sugar and caffeine - Take care, will get ectopic reaction which may or may not go to small run of tachycardia.
Stress/poor sleep patterns makes me more susceptible to the above and lower tolerance limit.
Keeping hydrated (plenty of water) makes me less susceptible.
There is a lot more to it but the above is a very simplified summary, other people will have different thresholds. Proceed with caution on a trial and error basis to see what you can cope with.
I had been free of AF for over 2 years until this May when I had another attack. I have had a few since then but none caused by drinking. It's hard sometimes to find a reason for an attack. My doctor even said I was exercising too much and that could be the trigger. I stopped drinking after the 1st attach but its made no difference.
Hi mjmI use to love a beer and a few brandys after a stressful day. But after my first afib attack i have never touched a drop and never will. I miss it but i hate afib so much i do what ever i can to reduce my chances. Another love of mine is curry, had one the other day. Was probably too hot and spicy. Anyhow i felt a bit of heartburn and shortly after my afib almost kicked in, so that's something else reluctantly i will have to cut down on or even give up. Perhaps a mild korma may be ok. Bottom line is, i have not had an attack for about 5 months. Come close a couple of times, its like walking on eggshells i hate it. But have no choice. Due to covide i get the bare minimum of care. After 2 years i asked to see an EP and now i will have to wait another year to see him or her. Regards my cardiologist i have never seen him just had one phone call, its a disgrace. The UK don't seem to take AF/Afib seriously. I think i would rather be in the USA. Their treatments are way ahead of ours.
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