Medscape (AF and alcohol, for info)

[maurice2]

Various studies have shown an association between alcohol use and atrial fibrillation. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2020 found that abstinence from alcohol reduced arrhythmia recurrences in regular drinkers with atrial fibrillation. Experts found that the effect of alcohol abstinence was long-lasting if patients maintained abstinence.

Studies have found that both habitual drinking at moderate levels as well as binge drinking can predispose individuals to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation associated with alcohol use may be intermittent or persistent. Patients with alcohol-associated atrial fibrillation may have an irregular or thready pulse. Cardiac auscultation is usually normal, except for an irregularly irregular pulse.

Read more about atrial fibrillation and alcohol.

jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc...

[BenHall1]

A sufferer can also have a simple genetic predisoposition to AF ( in any format ) and strokes too. Certainly in the paternal side of my family this is true. A disposition that may not always show up in each or every other generation.

[Cavalierrubie]

There may be an association for some regarding alcohol and AF. and l think many have had to abstain from this in order to control AF. Personally, l don’t drink alcohol, but l still have AF. There are many predispositions to AF. Genetics play their part in many respects. I personally have a hiatus hernia and stomach issues which exasperate and trigger my AF. My problems are all heredity. We do not yet know the cause of AF which is the biggest mystery of all time! Until we do, we have our own unconfirmed theories and assumptions. We find our own unique way through this, with the help of medical intervention, who are only able to treat the symptoms. The cause of AF needs to be ascertained before a cure can be found.

[nominingue]

My first AFib episode followed closely behind innoculation with Astra Zeneca's Covid vaccine and a celebratory glass of sparkling wine (celebrating my sense of doing something to conquer Covid). Since then, alcohol, even as little as a glass of cider and struggling to digest certain 'gummy' textured foods such as brown rice pasta have triggered episodes (which nearly all 5h). I also believe i have a hiatus hernia and now manage an increasingly restrictive diet. A former wine lover.

[maurice2 in reply to nominingue]

Me too...former wine lover. I don't miss it now and regard any alcoholic drinks with deep suspicion. I think more education around the potential risks is prob. the answer.

[Garaidh in reply to nominingue]

Hi there

I've had Afib episodes after every single vaccination for anything in the past decade. I've no idea what it is in the process - but definitely each Covid vaccination (Astra, Pfizer, Moderna & Novavax this year) all set me off, as did Mpox and Pneumococcal. Very frustrating but at least I can plan around it!

I can get away with low alc beer or a little alcohol daytime but it has to be out my system before bedtime. And is best avoided, unless in an emergency!