persistent af and alcohol

[Henry716]

has anyone on here have persistent af and drink alcohol occasionally

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes me, though I rarely drink alcohol. I'm always the person driving others!!

Last year on one of my daughter's big birthdays which we were celebrating, I drank a bottle of red wine. You can see that I lived to tell the tale, wouldn't recommend anyone else doing that, though I had no side effects apart from feeling drunk. Had to get on the bus home with my younger sister (she'd had as much as me) Then walked about half a mile up a really steep hill to get home. I managed it all fine. I take Warfarin and have been in constant AF for almost 4 years.

All I've had since is a tiny bit of wine at Christmas, hmm just thought I did buy a bottle of Advocaat etc last Christmas to make snowball drinks. Had nothing since and can live without alcohol.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

We are all different but my own view is why take the risk?

[CDreamer]

Have to say I am not in persistent AF and now have very low AF burden and low BP.

It’s not always just about the AF. I take maybe 1-2 glasses of wine a week, occasional low alcohol beer and Kumboocha which, if you make it yourself can be alcoholic. Alcohol without any shadow of doubt, damages all internal organs but it is also about how much, how often, what meds you take and how it affects you and a little alcohol taken with food and plenty of water I tolerate so I enjoy.

When AF and another condition was at its worst I abstained completely - about 8 years.

I know my kidney and liver function is excellent but if you have persistent AF yours may not be so I would be more worried about those before touching alcohol. The WORST is binge drinking so do beware of taking too much alcohol in one go.

Like Jean, we all have the occasional excuse to forget ourselves! I can also live without booze but I enjoy an occasional social drink.

[bobby1290]

Everything in moderation, many people say....Alcohol is definitely a contributing factor/risk. Few drinks am sure is fine, and ensuring nae major excercise after....3 episodes of AF, cause has been 1. Cancer ChemoTreatments 2. Stress 3. Alcohol....

[BrotherThomas]

Yep, I would probably be classified as in permanent AF and I like a drink 🍸 from time to time. I limit my intake to about 9 units on each occasion consisting, mainly, of lager and or wine. I drink both red and white wine.

Cheers!

[Rainfern]

It’s amazing how wonderful a tiny quantity of wine can be if it’s a good quality wine. For a special occasion I literally have just a couple of teaspoons wine or beer in the bottom of a glass and truly savour it. Mindful drinking!

[Linley in reply to Rainfern]

I agree I miss my wine so I make rose wine ice cubes.

[Ppiman]

My elderly friend and my son's colleague do. I am talking moderate drinking, of course, but neither have any trouble whatsoever. I have more occasional AF and enjoy a drink of G&T or wine.

Steve

[Desanthony]

Yes, I have permanent low rate AF. My cardio nurses said I could take the odd drink unless it made me feel worse - it doesn't. I never drank a lot but now take a drink or two for celebrations and now and again have a drink with my dinner over the weekend. Never drank more than 5 units a week even before AF. Not a drinker but do enjoy a drink now and again.

[Henry716 in reply to Desanthony]

Hi, what way does being in persistent af make you feel, walking up hills gets me, is that normal?

[Desanthony in reply to Henry716]

In general I can still walk pretty much the same as always. I think I might be walking a little slower, taking dogs for a walk - I do feel more tired when I get home but doing OK. Otherwise no problems.

[Wilky57 in reply to Henry716]

I am exactly the same. I used to be relatively fit but now I struggle with my breathing if I walk up steps, stairs or hills. It’s very annoying.

[Dudtbin]

yes i drink wine . Just had a friend to stay and drank too much, but no ill effects!

[jondeanp]

if you’re in persistent AF what’s the harm in having a little alcohol.

The only thing that stopped me during one of my persistent episodes was because I was taking warfarin at the time.

If you’re in NSR then that’s a different matter and a risk that you have to weigh up

[djmnet]

I've also continued to enjoy alcoholic beverages with persistent AF, but it was never a trigger for me when I wasn't persistent. I've encountered no problems with my moderate use of alcohol.

[Henry716 in reply to djmnet]

Thankyou, how does the persistent af make you feel? I struggle with walking uphill, is that normal?

[Ablation7 in reply to Henry716]

I have had 2 ablations and am in NSR 🙏🏼 on 180mg Diltiazem. I also struggle walking uphill. So odd. I just go very slow.

[djmnet]

Actually, I think it's a piece of cake most of the time and I'm not even aware of having AF. But agree walking uphill (or upstairs) is not easy and I avoid it as much as possible. But yes, it is normal -- not anything I'd be worried about.

[Henry716 in reply to djmnet]

yeah I agree, it just means you are not waiting for that episode to kick in, I’m a newbie to persistent ( 8 weeks ) so body probably still adapting. Are you on any meds? I’m on bisoporol 2.5 and warfarin

[djmnet in reply to Henry716]

I much, much prefer persistent to the "waiting" for the next draining episode. I'm unaware of being in AF unless I check my wrist (or walk uphill or a flight of stairs) and heart rate of 75-80 at rest. I take eliquis and diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker (can't tolerate beta blockers -- left me exhausted). Been persistent for 4 years.

[Blearyeyed]

It's really not worth it with PAF or Persistent AF.Alcohol is the most well known , well researched and commonest trigger for AF , and the most well known risk factor for causing AF to develop.

A recent study showed that those whom are at risk of developing aFib had higher incidences of incidental and intermittent aFib episodes from drinking 1-3 drinks a day , what is classed medically as Moderate Drinking.

For those with aFib or the risk of incidental aFib , each alcoholic drink you have increases the risk of triggering an aFib episode by 8%.

So after 3 drinks your risk of suffering an aFib flare increases to 24% higher whilst the alcohol can still have an affect on the body than you are when you are alcohol free.

If you add in a salty or sugary snack , which we often do whilst enjoying a tipple the two things together make the risk of aFib significantly higher.

It's an individual choice as to whether the " pleasure" or habitual benefits of having a tipple is worth the risk of triggering aFib or taking the risk of making your aFib worse long term.

The effects aren't always instantaneous, but can be incremental. So if you are new to aFib, or only have intermittent aFib take that as a warning and opportunity to swap to aFib friendly habits, and the opportunity to give up things that could make aFib worse or bring it back after years of being aFib free while you can.

I miss certain drinks , especially at certain times or celebrations, but I feel like it's one of those changes I just need to accept......and for those whom miss the taste there are so many good quality non alcoholic versions of drinks these days you don't have to feel like you are missing out entirely.

My Dad loved a tipple and the occasional cigar but did give it all up when he had aFib and heart attacks even back in the 80's , went smoke free and just satisfied his urge for a G+T with a tonic and lime instead.

[Fastbeat1 in reply to Blearyeyed]

I love a nice wine . I have permanent af and my blood pressure is far better as a result of partaking ,odd but true ! Cheers!!

[KiwiBlake]

I remember reading, it may actually not be the alcohol that causes AF (unless it is excessive) but all the other preservatives and compounds which are in drinks which may be a bigger risk/trigger. From my own personal experience I find an occasional (approx monthly) beer or two doesn't trigger AF. However wine, and in particular red wine, I feel the effects worse, red wine in particular (especially the cheaper ones) will give me a severe headache, and can trigger AF. Therefore I don't even drink non alcohol wine, as the same compounds and preservatives are still present.

[Ablation7 in reply to KiwiBlake]

Agreed. I can have a glass of wine on occasion. If I have 2 or 3 my heart will bump around all night. I learned that the hard way and haven’t done it again. I have also found out I can tolerate a few Tito’s, but not other vodkas. Supposedly because it’s grain free…? Not really sure. Good luck.

[donals in reply to KiwiBlake]

Red wine contains a preservative called Sulphite and it triggers AF .

[Henry716 in reply to donals]

Are triggers not irrelevant when already in persistent af

[CDreamer in reply to donals]

Not triggers for everyone, however, some studies have illustrated that even moderate alcohol consumption causes scarring on the heart.

[DawnTX]

I don’t know if having a pacemaker makes a difference, but I finally got brave enough a few months ago to have a glass of sangria again. See it also depends what kind of alcohol and it all depends on your body if you don’t mind, taking a chance on feeling awful and can handle it then you can give it a try, but I seriously only had one glass with ice. I had not been aware about the alcohol/a fib but when first diagnosed and we would go to dinner and I would have my glass of sangria plus eating really good food probably too much, by the time I got back to the vehicle could barely walk. I hurt so badly for quite a while. I also could not have ice cream for me. That means a milkshake. Well, I can do it now but whatever you decide to try go slow and steady not like a starving man.

the way I used to feel no way what I have put alcohol or did I put any for over two years and then some after the pacemaker best of luck

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

Everyone's triggers are different, stimulants are well known to enhance or bring on an episode of AF - for further advice and guidance, have you downloaded 'AF and You' booklet from the AF Association resources tab: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Alternatively, please contact the Patient Services Team for advice: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards

TracyAdmin

booklet