Night Out

[TheBigHonree]

Hello all,

I'm approx 10 weeks into recovery from a heart attack and emergency procedure to clear coronary artery and fit a stent.

Tonight is my first night out with friends since it happened. I'm not planning on drinking but what is the general feeling on actually having maybe a couple of glasses of lager shandy?

I'm on apixaban, statin etc and it is in my head that maybe I shouldn't have anything at all and should just stick to water (which isn't a problem).

Any advice/ideas 👍🏼👍🏼

Thanks

Simon

[Griff-64]

I was a drinker until I had 2 ulcers, something like 25 years ago, I stopped drinking and smoking overnight. I found it surprisingly easy with both, because I knew it they were causing problems. The thing I had trouble with was other people, family/friends, putting me under pressure to have "just one, it won't hurt you"

I stuck to it though and was quite proud of myself, and realised I really didn't need alcohol. But put a cappuccino in front of me......☕

[TheBigHonree in reply to Griff-64]

Hello

It's not a problem I'm easy either way, more an interested question to see what the general feeling is.

Strangely enough, a bit like yourself, it's been far easier than I ever thought to not actually drink any alcohol and I don't actually miss it.👍🏼👍🏼

Simon

[Griff-64 in reply to TheBigHonree]

I agree, I'm interested to see what others think too tbh.

[Nathan53]

Alcohol increases the effects of apixaban and most anti coagulants but you should be fine with a small amount of alcohol as in a couple of Shandy's. This advice was given to me by Cardio Physio and seems backed up by various searches on health sites. Enjoy your night hope it's good.

[TheBigHonree in reply to Nathan53]

Thanks Nathan 👍🏼

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

My cardiologist said I was fine to have 2 - 3 units a few times a week. His only comments were "don't save it up for a Friday night as that is what causes problems and "as you will not be drinking a lot make sure it's good quality". A couple of shandies should be fine unless you were told "no alcohol"! Get them made with sugar free lemonade if possible otherwise it is a big sugar hit!

[Chappychap]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

The message on the cardio rehab programme I'm attending is absolutely no more than 14 units of alcohol per week (less is better) and at least two alcohol free days a week to give your liver a chance to recover. But as long as you've got a healthy body mass index (or your waist is equal or less than half your height) then the occasional treat with friends will do you a lot more good than harm.

Have fun!

[Prada47]

Moderation is the key word, having said that your Moderation may be different to mine!!! I can also take Alcohol or leave it, just had a completely Dry January, But I have 6x330ml cans in the Fridge for the Rugby tomorrow, and I will enjoy them over a 4 hour period.. Key word for me is Enjoy, I am 72 this year and not saving myself for anything special,so I will enjoy what's left and if that means having a couple of Beers so hey ho lets go England.

[TheBigHonree in reply to Prada47]

Absolutely let's go England, looking forward to another good game.👍🏼👍🏼

[TheBigHonree]

Ended up with a couple of shandies and a bottle of Heineken 0.0 lager during the whole night, to be honest I actually realised I haven't missed it so there may be a more permanent change on the horizon.

Thanks all for the input, all very useful.👍🏼👍🏼

Simon