Alcohol and heart drugs: Hi Is it safe... - British Heart Fou...

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Alcohol and heart drugs

barniecroft profile image
10 Replies

Hi

Is it safe to have a glass of wine when taking heart drugs. I'm on a cocktail of drugs for a heart attack. Someone in hospital said it would be fine but im not sure of interactions - does anyone have advice

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barniecroft profile image
barniecroft
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10 Replies
LenC profile image
LenC

Hi barniecroft, I would suggest you approach your cardiologist or at least your GP to pose that question. Cardio meds are very complex and their functions are aimed at specific areas, with alcohol, even a small amount, may change the way that the meds behave, and their functions may be impeded. If you are just looking for a general view I suggest you go to a recognised authentic drug website. I use "Drugs.com" to check the compatibility of the meds I take as well as supplements. Good luck, I trust you get good advice.

YOU ARE ISSUED WITH ONE HEART ONLY.

barniecroft profile image
barniecroft in reply to LenC

Thanks Len

stevejb1810 profile image
stevejb1810

Yes, in moderation. I take bisoprolol, Ramipril, Atorvastatin, aspirin and lanzoprazol and enjoy a glass of red wine or a pint on a fairly regular basis (couple times a week). My tolerance level has dropped quite a bit and I’m also aware of the need to be careful, so bingeing is definitely a thing of the past.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

You need to run it past your GP or cardiologist as it depends what drugs you are on. Alcohol can affect both BP and coagulation do be guided by the professionals and not the internet.

I asked my cardiac rehab nurse teh same q

I asked cardiac rehab nurse the same question and her reply was everything in moderation, so if you want to have a few takeaways thendo so but not all the time, same with alcohol. She said no point being alive and not living. for the record I take Tocagrelor, bisoprolol, atorvastatin and candersartan.

I have maybe one or two beers a weeks especially after a long day working in the garden :)

Lynntaylorsmith profile image
Lynntaylorsmith

My husband is in the same boat. He abstained completely for a few months then his cardiologist and nurses said it was fine to have a couple here and there more so with a meal. The most he had in one night was 4 pints of weak lager and was fine but doesn’t do it regularly .

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72

I swelled up like a balloon the three times I drank alcohol while on my heart meds (once it was only one drink), felt awful next day and decided it wasn't worth it. Not on anything now and fine with alcohol. Reaction was with Ramipril I think but others were fine... different folks react to different things. Use your own judgement.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Hello Barnie

Difficult question as we are all in the same boat medication wise Pravastatin 10mg Clopidogrel 75mg Asprin 75mg Bisoprolol 7.5 mg Candesartan 6mg Furosemide 20mg Eplerenone 25mg Isosorbide Mononitrate 40mg ( recently down from 60mg ) Omeprazole 20mg that's my daily cocktail (no pun intended) . I drink 4 x 500ml cans of San Miguel Lager 5% abv twice a week or a bottle of red wine. I don't know if I am killing myself or not, but hey I enjoy a beer. I don't need alcohol and can go without it but once again I do enjoy a drink, with friends or even watching the football, cricket, golf, rugby etc. I am almost 71 and apart from a wonky heart reasonably well and active. I do think our mental attitude to whatever we do is a major factor in what we do with OUR bodies. Take advice by all means, but it's your decision at the end of the day as to what you want to enjoy.

Cheers

Frank W

Karenpr profile image
Karenpr

My husbands cardiologist said alcohol was fine in moderation. Husband has a bottle of wine at the weekend and a whiskey most evenings. Obviously alcohol affects your weight and liver so moderation is called for. At the same time if you can’t enjoy life what’s the point.

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