Alcohol post NStemi and 2 Stents

[SLondon]

I had a HA in Jan and 2 Stents, I’m female 45. All seemed to be going well with my recovery until a month ago and a Renal test came back abnormal. So under DR’s orders I’ve had a month off alcohol and been retested and all is fine again but he told me I can no longer drink. Has anyone else had this news. In rehab it was all about moderation and staying under 14units. Can the drugs also affect the liver- I’m on Ramipril, Avostatin, Bisoporol, Triceagor, Asprin. Obvs I don’t want to damage another organ but a life with out a beer or glass of wine feels very strict.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I think you need to ask your GP. Alcohol can increase the effect of BP and anticoagulants but usually drinking within the guidelines is acceptable. Somebody I know with a healthy BMI has been told to stop drinking as they detected fatty liver disease. Without a Why it is hard to comment.

[SLondon in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for the reply. I’m going to get some more advice.

[Maisie2014]

Hi SLondon. All medications affect the other major organs in some way or another. That’s why it’s important to get regular blood tests. For example blood pressure tablets affect the kidneys, cholesterol tablets affect the liver. Life post heart attack does seem very strict at times but it is life after all and you’re still here to talk about it. I hardly ever drink so it’s easy for me to say but I do enjoy an occasional glass of gin. I have found some alcohol free beers quite nice and Asda sell some very nice low alcohol wines.

[SLondon in reply to Maisie2014]

I’m on a quest for some interesting non alcoholic drinks!

[Chappychap]

I sense that amongst health professionals alcohol is a contentious issue.

The official guidelines from both the NHS and the BHF are stay below the 14 units per week limit and ensure you have at least two days per week that are completely alcohol free.

But there are plenty of doctors and nurses who say this is too lax, and we need a much lower limit. Furthermore even though the occasional glass of red wine is okay for most people (there are about 14% of the population who have genes that mean any wine at all is detrimental to their health) beer is a no-no. I've heard beer described as "liquid toast", apparently it's the high carb content of beer that means it's particularly bad for people with a history of heart problems. But if you shop around amongst doctors you'll eventually find one that tells you to do what ever it is that you personally want to do anyway!

At the end of day it's your life and you must live it as you wish, personally I don't get enough out of alcohol to make me willing to take many risks, so I have the odd glass of red wine on social occasions and that's it.

[SLondon in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks for the advice.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Drinking alcohol is something I was concerned about. The NHS says 14 units a week with 2 days off. My GP said "you can have to occasional half of beer".

Post HA I'm taking 84 pills a week, prior to HA was taking Nil. These medications are pretty powerful and I'm aware the alcohol has the potential to mess about with how effectively the drugs work.

So I've decided to (for now) quit alcohol, I don't want to enjoy a few drinks and then spend the following day worrying what damage the alcohol could have done. I've started drinking alcohol free beer some of which is OK.

Incidentally, I've had 3 blood tests in as many months because my kidney function is abnormal - glomerular filtration rate, the doctor says it's probably the diuretics I'm on to prevent water retention could be causing this. Just seen the latest result this morning and now normal. When I looked up the previous result figures it suggested kidney failure!!! The latest figures are normal. Seeing GP next Tuesday to discuss, but I'm guessing that it could be a case of my body settling into taking all this medication.

[SLondon in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Look after yourself and appreciate the reply.

[45sue]

Most of the drugs you/we are on can affect the liver but Atarvorstatin is the most common. I have had to top taking it after blood tests showed significantly abnormal liver function . Now back to normal & am waiting to be prescribed something else. I still drink in moderation.

[SLondon in reply to 45sue]

Thank you. The GP mentioned the statin can affect the liver. I’m seeing my consultant in 3 months so hope he can advise on different options.

[CharlesL]

Hi

I drink socially a few nights a week, and think that I'm okay.

Take care

C

[SLondon in reply to CharlesL]

Thank you.

[Dallascowboys2019]

You have no business drinking on those meds,,Period. Those meds and Alcohol do not mix well,,as you found out.

[Redsea in reply to Dallascowboys2019]

No need to be so rude, the person was asking a question relevent to her.