Changes in alcohol tolerance

[Polly159]

I've had AFIB this 'stretch' (I had it previously then it seemed to 'lie low') for about 7 years, controlled well by amiodarone. During that time alcohol consumption hasn't been a problem as I drink moderately. However, this past few months, it seems that 'moderate' intake is triggering my AFIB and have noticed this is increasingly so (ie takes less and less alcohol to trigger an attack) Just wondered if anyone had a similar experience, though I think it's going to be alcohol-free for me now.

[BobD Volunteer]

Alcohol started my AF long before I knew what AF was. I saw my doctor and told him every time I take a sip it makes my heart race, so he just told me "Great. Think of the money you will save". It was ten years later before another doctor finally diagnosed me.

[bean_counter27]

AF is almost always a progressive disease so it's quite possible your threshold for triggering your episodes changes over time. However, we're all different. AF is a complicated beast and your experience can be totally different to others so best to follow your intuition.

My experience:

I had an episode after having a little too much alcohol at a friend's birthday party a few years ago. Correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation but alcohol is a known trigger so it was a "smoking gun" at very least. I know I can drink alcohol and not have an episode but it appears if I drink enough then it becomes a trigger. I don't know how much that is - and there will be various other factors at play (too complicated) so it's easier just to avoid drinking. There's other health benefits from stopping drinking and it saves money too! So I look at it being a positive (most of the time :)).

[Polly159 in reply to bean_counter27]

Thanks, that's helpful and chimes in with my experience. Thankfully, there are some non/low alcohol drinks that I like. I get the bit about the other factors - a complicated disease Indeed!

[Buzby62 in reply to Polly159]

Yes, it certainly isn’t straightforward identifying triggers and what you think is a trigger might just be one of many things that tip you over the edge. I think it’s the dehydration and possible inflammation that alcohol causes and everyone has a different tolerance level to each other and to themselves at different times. The point about not drinking on an empty stomach is worth noting and also rehydrating with water in between drinks may be helpful. I’ve had one short episode post blanking period after an ablation and it was after drinking on an empty stomach and not rehydrating in between. I haven’t gone tee total yet and enjoy a drink at much lower levels than the old days, but I’m aware it might come in the future.

Best wishes

[Keano99 in reply to Buzby62]

Hi Busby, I think you point on inflammation will come to the fore, in research, for the understanding and causes of all sorts of diseases, in years to come..

[Responsable]

You have noticed it excellently. With ageing, all of us, more or less, undergo physical changes, which change many things in our body, mostly in the sense of getting more sensitive and less capable. I was a great wine lover until I understood that something has changed. After that, I tried all I knew, tried to have it in the morning, in the evening, with water, without water, with tablespoon, with straw, with teaspoon, ... , all without success, unfortunately. So, I had to stop having wine completely, which is the largest regret in my life...

[Keano99 in reply to Responsable]

But you’ll get over that one, no problem…

[Sixtyslidogirl]

The more research they do on alcohol, the worse it seems to be. Personally, I gave it up after it seemed to trigger an episode. Now I can have one drink early evening once a month or so, cocktails only, no wine and that doesn’t seem to trigger. That said, I’ve just had an ablation so don’t know what my response will be now. Have to try the one glass of champagne test on Xmas day, provided I don’t eat too much Xmas dinner! But anyway, sadly, your decision to go alcohol free is probably the right one.

[50568789]

Rule #1 don't drink on an empty stomach.

[momist in reply to 50568789]

Rule #2 stay hydrated by drinking water with it.

[TaffinSussex in reply to momist]

I've only had prosecco ( quarter of a glass if that) twice since my diagnosis 9 months ago and the first time it triggered a strange unpleasant feeling which dissipated following a large gulp of water...I was out for my 70th birthday meal with my children and grandchildren. The 2nd time was 2 months later, again a quarter of a glass and a glass of water...one sip of Prosecco with one mouthful of water...seemed to work. That was August and I did have a weeny drop of Pina Colada Baileys about a month ago and a single tiny sip of sherry last night whilst decorating the Christmas tree. Water 💧 for me is the key I think but having said that Christmas is fast approaching and I would normally have been having a few glasses of fizz during 25-26th with a mulled wine to kick off in the morning...alas not this year or ever again I guess. I miss my glass of shiraz which I would have a couple of times a week and an occasional G&T in summer but I am far too nervous now to risk it.

[momist in reply to TaffinSussex]

I've always been a beer fan - I even brewed my own for about thirty years. I was also a member of CAMRA and went to many beer festivals. After I got AF, I found I couldn't drink alcohol, and tried all the alcohol free substitutes, even the awful gin equivalent. They did me no good, and many made me feel worse than if I'd gone into AF. Some of the German alcohol free beers were acceptable, and some American ones. Later, after months of no AF for a while, I tried beer again and found that if I took a glass of water for every glass of beer I had, I could drink again. I also have a glass of wine with a restaurant meal, provided I drink at least the equivalent or more of water to accompany it. Since my ablation, I've tried hard to follow this rule, and it seems to be working. Good luck with your AF journey - it's a beast that comes in many guises and tends to catch you out when least expected.

[TaffinSussex in reply to momist]

Yep it's a pain in the rear for sure! Thank you and good luck on your journey too. 😊

[jeanjeannie50]

It's the sulphites/sulphides (preservatives) in alcohol that can cause AF to rear it's ugly head. Some of the bigger supermarkets have wine without this additive, you'd have to ask staff to direct you to where it is they usually only have a few types. Of course without the preservatives the wine doesn't keep for long.

[TaffinSussex in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Oh thank you for that, I'll check that out. I hadn't realised that's what the culprit was.

[pottypete1]

I have up alcohol 7 years ago to enhance the potential success of my 7th ablation.

It was the most successful ablation and now I have go the longest period without AF since it all started in 1992.

Pete

[Jasper18]

Hi Polly159, I’ve several friends who tell me they often feel their HR increase with a “first glass” of champagne, especially on an empty stomach - and these are non-afibbers!

My understanding is that whilst no alcohol is seen to be heart healthy, with arrhythmia’s differing results have been observed with different types of alcohol, sulphites in wine etc. certainly suspected to be an irritant.

My personal experience now leads me to choose lower alcohol level drinks, ie certain beers over others and very often I’ll throw in a couple of 0% drinks over the course of say, an evening out, this way diluting the total volume consumed. Beers can range between 3.6% (my choice!) and 9-10%, wine 10% to 16%, and I believe this has got to make a difference. Initially I missed the wine (I loved Rioja!) but after a while your gut microbiome adjusts and I now crave / prefer the taste of my 0% and lower alcohol choices! Additionally, I now drink alcohol slowly, I’m conscious of avoiding “glugging”, and definitely with food or certainly having just had food - I think this bit is essential. The occasions when I drink alcohol (at all) have been also reduced somewhat, i.e. I’ll only drink on specific events - maybe I’ve lost popularity!

These changes have definitely worked for me and I feel have formed the best part of the healthy lifestyle changes I’ve made. Noticeably, no more hangovers either!

Oh, forgot to mention, morning after, I take an hydration / electrolyte tablet supplement. Come in a tube of dissolvable tablets off Amazon. Great stuff!

[Autumn_Leaves]

You might as well rethink your alcohol consumption if it’s become a trigger. It’s a modifiable behaviour. Your decision.

[babs1234]

from someone who used to love getting wasted regularly, I have unfortunately more or less given up alcohol 😩. I miss it but don’t miss the hangovers. Can’t be doing with the non alcoholic drinks so barely go out now Damn it !!!

[JezzaJezza]

Everyone is different but I have had great success with great meds - dronedarone and bisoprolol 2.5 and lifestyle changes. I cut out ultra processed food, cut out salt, lost and kept off 2.5 stone, exercise 300 mins per week, cut out all alcohol (drink 0-0 now) and cut out all sources of caffeine including fizzy drinks. Also drink min 2 litres of water per day.