HI everyone -- I completed my first ( and hopefully) only ablation. I have had sporadic AFIB for about 10 years but in the last couple the episodes were becoming more numerous so I decided to get the procedure. Anyway, feel strange even bringing this up but I am one to enjoy a few beers on the weekends and from time to time go on trips with friends and have some beers. I have read so many different studies and honestly afraid to even have a few beers now about 10 days after my ablation. I don't want to ruin the ablation by drinking but at the same time do like to enjoy in moderation if it's okay. Does anyway have some thoughts regarding this?
thanks
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Friday6
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Hi,Obviously it’s down to self management but the guidelines are 3 months before they can say if it’s been a successful ablation, I had to stop some tablets within a few week into that period & my heart was throwing ectopics beats out drastically which made me believe it was back in AF, I had someTest which confirmed it wasn’t, I was told to go back on the meds as abruptly stopping can cause that problems. once I went back on the meds it stopped. I was told it was just because im still in that blanking period of healing! Until today I still don’t know if it was officially successful, but i do know it’s not bothered me like it did before the op. Touch wood it stays that way! I’ve had booze & nights out after that 3 month period & everything has been ok for me I’ve worked out & got my heart rate up without problem so long may that continue. It’s a shame that they don’t really have enough guidance in after care when undergoing this surgery, I guess for you it’s trail & error for things you want to try yourself, like I said for me the tablets was enough for me not want to try other stuff until after that period. All the nonsense about it’s just a day case is silly tho as you have scar tissues that needs to repair so don’t race back to normality to fast. I didn’t do anything including any real physical exercise or alcohol just as a precaution in my case!
maybe trying it out will let you know?
Good luck with it all, I hope it’s the only one you have to undergo 😎
My Cardiologist told me no alcohol. So I have adjusted my tastes to NA. It takes some adjusting but NA Heineken, Becks, Clahauster, and St Paulie's Girl sort of taste like thr real thing but you loose the stigmatism of just drinking ice water while with others. My Cardiologist told me between getting my BMI down to 22 and no alcohol I may never have another AFIB event. It's been 6 years since my last one.
I wouldn’t chance it so soon after ablation. The occasional beer/wine doesn’t affect me nowadays but it’s taken a long time to get to this stage - drugs/2 ablations + Pacemaker.
Everyone reacts very differently and I think the reason the studies are not definitive is because people react very differently and some seem very sensitive whilst others not.
Regardless, having read the most recent reports around how damaging alcohol is to not only our internal organs but most importantly our brains, I stick to 1-2 units/week and never more than 1 drink, no matter how celebratory the occasion.
You need to decide which is more important to you - a social life with a drink for now or your well being in the longer term. All I know is I wish I had drunk a lot less before my problems started, unfortunately we humans are better at hindsight than foresight.
I had an ablation in June last year. We went on holiday in September and I cut out most alcohol apart from a small drink with an evening meal. In the last 6 months I've had the odd night out with a few drinks and haven't had any issues. It depends what your triggers are.
Like you I like a beer or two. The social side is important as well as the nonsense that gets discussed after a few beers. After my ablation I left it a while before having a beer. I now drink as before with no issues.
It’s a difficult one to call so as not to ruin the ablation but I’ve managed ok for the last 4 years.
I don’t know what was triggering my AF but I thought it was more related to caffeine and sleep deprivation.
I’ve gone tea total after realizing it was the metabolites from alcohol (acetaldehyde) that was the 24-48h delayed trigger. It only took four ablations and six cardioversions to wake me up! Good luck.
Could you elaborate more on the effect of acetaldedyde in alcohol? Over the last 3 or 4 years, I’ve developed an intolerance to alcohol, especially red wine. I’d like to understand why. Small amounts (3-4 ounces of wine) now trigger ectopics, next day head aches and a wiped out feeling.
I absolutely hate to say this, but you're best to swear off alcohol altogether. I loved my wine in the old days, but it was a major trigger for an a-fib episode so I gave it up altogether. The choice between feeling good for a little while, and having a very scary prolonged a-fib episode, was a no-brainer.
I had an ablation 10 days ago. I won't be drinking anything alcoholic for a couple of months, There are some good non alcholic craft beers out there now. Dry January has certainly made a market for this so will eventually try a few of these first. My plan is to then slowly introduce some occasional drinks later this year. Alcohol has never been a conclusive trigger for me but I accept the research evidence that it has a strong link to afib. Everyone reacts differently and everyone's afib story is different. I have only been mildly affected by afib and think trying to accomodate an occasional small drink is a worthwhile risk in the future.
I'm a retired rugby player and Fireman and my social life has revolved around drinking sessions with like-minded long-term pals all my adult life.So I'm with you.
I had an ablation at the beginning of the year and stayed away from alcohol for 3 months. Shortly after that I pulled out of a lads trip to Malaga as I was still suffering arrythmia and knew 4 days of drinking would be stupidity.
These days I have a few beers without it affecting my heart rhythm. I try to strike a balance between the social life and friends I love dearly and respect for my future heart health, so I drink far less than I did. I don't get into big rounds and take my time, often leaving earlier than in the past.
Whisky and red wine, both of which I love, are out as these cause ectopics for me.
I still really enjoy myself!
I'm glad I didn't push my luck during the vital 'blanking period' following the ablation and I'd strongly advise you to do the same.
Be patient.
I hope that alcohol won't be a trigger for you when you eventually try it again, but if it is you may then have harder decisions to make.
Thanks for feedback. I agree with you and plan to do what you suggested . I had already started your philosophy already before the ablation. I don't believe it was a trigger but agree will have to adjust as needed. thanks again
Depends if alcohol was a trigger for your AF and also, what medication you are taking as alcohol exacerbates the effects of some, including anticoagulants. Alcohol wasn't a trigger fir me but I've still stayed clear. I certainly wouldn't have been having it 10 days after my ablation.
Only you can decide whether the few beers or not risking problems are more important.
After my ablation I didn't drink alcohol at all for three years. After that I enjoy a few glasses of wine a week, about 10-11% with no effect on my AF.
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