AF and alcohol

[marychris]

My husband has AF hað no problems with alcohol ,ablation 5years ago and seems AF has come back.Is it possible for alcohol to affect him now.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think most of us avoid alcohol when AF started. Some claim it never affects them but is it worth the risk?. I was T total for about 20 years after AF diagnosis.

[Stato308 in reply to BobD]

Agree totally

[Peony4575]

I have a friend who wouldn’t say he has AF, but several years ago had a couple of AF episodes after drinking a lot of alcohol. He has since limited his drinks to max three and usually less . So a factor might be how much your husband is drinking because alcohol can trigger AF in otherwise healthy people . It’s a poison, very toxic to the heart as are high levels of sugar ( alcoholic drinks have both )

[momist]

As Bob says, there are conflicts of opinion on this. I avoided alcohol for a while, but it didn't seem to make any change to my incidence of AF, and when I returned to drinking (not to excess and not every day), it didn't seem to make it worse. After the ablation, I stayed off for quite a while, but then gradually returned to enjoying wine and beer, and the odd whiskey. Everybody's journey is different.

What I will suggest, is that dehydration is a known cause of starting a session, and I always now ensure that if taking alcoholic drinks, I also drink copious water as well, between drinks (or in them).

[jondeanp in reply to momist]

Maybe not the dehydration but the flushing out of minerals and salts.

If I’ve had a heavy one then I’ll take a rehydration/ electrolyte drink.

Same goes for if I’ve had a hot day and not drank enough fluids or after a heavy exercise session.

[Ppiman]

It doesn't me, in any way, nor two friends. Moderation is the key, I suspect!

Steve

[Guitar335]

What I would say is alcohol affects everyone’s heart. Everyones. It affects our minds and our hearts .Wear a heart tracking watch and u will undoubtedly see the impact. If you compare a drunken nights sleep to alcohol free the beats per minute will be noticeably different.

Now….Whether alcohol is an Af trigger is a different question and personal. For me it’s a definite

[estesbubba]

There was a recent study that showed just 2 drinks increases your chance of getting AF that might by 3.5 times! NA beer for me which there are some excellent ones these days.

[FindingCaradoc in reply to estesbubba]

I agree, some are really good, so I try to only drink low or no alcohol beer at home these days, however I struggle to not have some cask ale or wine when I’m out socialising so I’ve found it hard to give up completely even though I know I should! I have cut right back though to give my successful ablation last year a chance to work as long as possible…

[FindingCaradoc]

Even if it’s not an immediate trigger there is I understand plenty of evidence that it can cause AF to progress and come back after a successful ablation… I’ve cut right back but struggle to give up completely, same goes for sugar!

[Squeak3]

My binge drinking caused my AFIB. After being a using alcoholic for 40+years, I had to put the bottle down. It was that or start digging my grave. Sober now 10 months. No AA or any other support except for common sense. I don't even have just a couple because I won't start my engine and not drive anywhere. All the best to you.

[Scotheart]

Have AF and HF and no doubt excessive drinking over the decades contributed to this problem. GP and surgeon say I need not stop drinking but keep it moderate. So trying to stick to the recommended limit of 14 units per week though if honest with myself it is usually nearer 18. However unlike my "old self" I now know when to stop of an evening and so no longer wake up with those awful hangovers of past years.