i’ve recently been diagnosed with AF i’m
in medication but still not seen a cardiologist yet .. i’m
due to go away end of april and not sure if i’m
allowed to drink achol i’ve read so many different things of what i should and shouldn’t be doing it’s really depressing me 😞
Am sorry you are feeling low it’s only to be expected when you get a life changing diagnosis . The advice generally is zero alcohol but the reality is some people can get away with occasional drinks . I haven’t tested it yet for myself but if you are going to try might be better at home where you know where your support services are etc Don’t want to risk ruining your holiday with a trip to A&E. I do hope you feel better soon
thank you for your reply .. i think your right if i do it will be at home .. it’s just very scary .. thanku again i’m sure i’ll be fine after a good nights sleep x
Hi CholetMy partner has AF for a number of years, some cardiologists say no alcohol others differ, my partner does have a beer and a glass of wine and it has not been seen to bring on the AF but we are all individual.
Hope you see a cardiologist soon 😊
Studies have actually shown that a glass of red wine can be a part of a heart healthy diet.
Mind you I would emphasise that that’s the “glass” and not “the bottle”.
lol don’t think i could drink a bottle 🤢
I'm in permanent AF and have a large glass of Malbec every night without any harm.
cheers .. i think i need to just try one while away in my caravan
Buy a half bottle just in case
I also have AF & i have a large glass of Merlot 5nights a wk, am om with this
I have been drinking wine for many years and used to change grapes every couple of years but I have stuck with Merlot for the last five or six . I prefer the Argentinian ones.Back thirty years ago when we had a big garden we grew a lot of fruit and made our own wines. The only failure we had was with Victoria Plum as it refused to clear. The house was built on the site of an orchard and we several of the big original apple trees.
merlot is my favourite.. wow how fantastic to make yr own wine 🍷.. i’ve always drunk wine or gin but haven’t touched a drop since end jan ... sounds like ur garden was heaven i’d love that
We also made a rice and raisin wine with a bit of a kick to it. We fermented the liquid for several days before decanting it into a demi john to bubble away. We were about to put all the rice and raisins from the fermentation onto the compost heap when we thought that it would provide a good feed for the starlings that visited our garden for scraps. Dozens of the birds swooped down and tucked into their feast, it was many hours before they left as the remains of our brew must still have been very potent and they were left staggering drunkenly about the lawn unable to take off. Whenever we made the wine again we were more careful in disposing of the residue.
😂😂😂😂😂
It was a very good wine but we only made it once more as we always had so much fruit to make use off.
You will need to inform your insurer if going abroad.
no only going away in our caravan
I hope the weather is kind to you. My only caravan holiday was spent playing cards as it rained every day.
lol we always have a good time no matter the weather it’s just nice change of scenery and i love my caravan 😄
My late brother in law used to holiday in a caravan in North Wales and despite its wet reputation always got good weather.
ours is a tourer so plan was to travel the uk .. not sure if that possible now🤷🏼♀️
We met a woman with a dog who was touring Canada and also a retired Aussie couple touring Austrlalia for two years. Also a couple in NZ who gave us a lift when we were having a long wait for a bus.
Me too Cholet. My local hospital said that AF fell below their threshold for follow-ups with a consultant; apparently it's as common and minor as housemaid's knee. I'm just testing what might trigger my AF, going through the factors that you can find from Dr Google: stress, caffeine, alcohol, exercise. I'm just seeing how far I can go with each and then if I go into AF again I'll know what to limit. It's not ideal, but it keeps Watford General Hospital clear of unnecessary patients.
oh i didn’t realise it was so common that’s good to know 👍.. i think what you’re doing is great idea definitely something i’ll be doing as u guess it’s the only way to know .. thankyou x
You may have a better hospital than we have here; it would be best to have a consultation with a cardiologist or other specialist. My method is purely through desperation, I wouldn't recommend it. You're lucky if you don't live in West Herts NHS district!
I know it can seem as though the world has ended when you have AF but it really hasn’t. It’s something you learn to live with, and adjust your lifestyle to. There are many different triggers and everyone is different. Personally I can’t eat chocolate, which is a bore with Easter coming up but normally I don’t mind too much. I have a very occasional small drink, only a couple of mouthfuls, but on the whole it’s not recommended. Also caffeine is a well known trigger. It’s better to focus on things that will keep the AF under control- the main things for me are walking every day, staying well hydrated ( with water!)and getting enough sleep. Have a great holiday in your caravan, you will be fine.
it does feel like that 😞.. i’ve stopped all caffeine and chocolate which i don’t mind either .. my husband says the same as u to focus on the positive.. than you for your help x
Hi Cholet I've only recently been diagnosed with PAF after 2 years of episodes and numerous trips to A&E to try catch them on ECG! Finally managed to catch one couple months back. I can honestly say alcohol is not a trigger for me. But each person is different. I'm on bisoprotol and apixaban now and still have occasional wine. I do like to partake in cocktails but haven't tried any yet. I'm waiting for another echocardiogram and a 7 day monitor as I suffer from palpitations. I've been waiting 6 weeks so far! Not sure what they will suggest long term. I'm meant to be going to Thailand next April but now I'm worried! Have to wait and see. Hope you enjoy your break away 😊
wow it’s good to hear such positive responses i’ve been feeling really negative.. i hope you get to see someone soon i think the waiting is the worst.. i guess try not to worry but easier said than done and ull be in thailand before you know it 😀
Last summer my annual echocardiogram was cancelled for six months and still waiting. At that time they said they had 2500 on the waiting list
omg 😱.. that’s terrible.. i ring the hospital yesterday to see if any cancellations but they are snowed under with patients 🤷🏼♀️
When I was quoted 16 weeks for a stress echocardiogram in 2011 I phoned to ask about cancellations. I was told they had one but could not allocate it as the only doctor doing them was away for a month. It also turned out that she only did four a week. I eventually got the cancellation three days before my next cardiology appointment. I had told her of my appointment but come the day she had not passed the results on to the consultant. He went to look for her but could not find her.
Oh no. I'm just trying to ignore that I'm waiting and just carrying on as normal !
You don't need alcohol to have a good time.
I had AF for decades, had an ablation, now it is back as Paroxismal AF. I am not a drinker per se but will have my pint with my buddies and drink red wine. I have been told my numerous cardiologists that it makes little difference unless you know it to be one of your triggers. Paradoxically if I am in AF and have a glass of wine, the AF can revert to sinus node. It is one of those things that is so individualistic that it is hard to call. Notwithstanding above, if your cardiologist asks you to moderate your drinking, he/she is correct in that alcohol, coffee, strong cheese, smoking and for some, strawberries are known triggers along with many food additives like E this and E that. AF is normally progressive from Paroxismal to Persistant to Permanent but like me, it can take decades. My Mother has been in Perm AF since 2000 and she is alert and well at 101 years old. Take a look at Arrhythmia Alliance forum which is co run by my old cardiologist of 40 years ago. He is a top top Prof of Cardiology, an Electrophysiologist and now has AF himself. You could also Google Prof. Cam, Cardiologist. Do make sure you ask your doctor about anticoagulants as this is MOST important. You will be fine with today's medicine and procedural options .
wow didn’t realise there are so many different types of AF and so many triggers .. i guess until i see my cardiologist i won’t know .. your mum sounds like a great lady 😀i’ll definitely take a look at that site i’d like as much information as possible... thanku so much for your reply x
It really is not "different types of AF" but the normal or expected progressive stages. Best you write down those 3 stages and collaborate with your doctor or cardiologists. I am 77 now but have suffered with various arrhythmia since in my 30s. Now have been diagnosed with Prinzmetal like my 2 sisters.
First of all, don’t believe everything you read - that’s a recipe for disaster. As for alcohol and caffeine, there are alternatives: I’ve switched to decaf tea bags and alcohol free beer. It’s not ideal but it definitely kills the urge as opposed to killing your heart. You really need to persevere and speak to your GP - I know that some GP receptionists can be real Rottweilers but most aren’t. Try and get through and demand an appointment. Ask to be referred to a specialist or a dietician- they will be able to advise you.
Good luck and let us know how things pan out 👍🏼
yes dr google is scary ... i’m not too bothered as would be fine with low alchol wine it’s just i think i’ve read too much 😞.. on the phone to them now fingers crossed i can get through... will let u all know if i get answers thanku
Good luck!! Remember, there are always friendly faces on here if you need to ask any questions or just get things off your chest (bad analogy for someone with an ICD in situ).
Let us know how you get on 🤞🏼
lol i will thanku
Hi CholetI’m sorry to hear about your A/F diagnosis. It’s a very unsettling condition and cardiologists are a little bit blasé about it!!
I found eating late in the evening could set it off. I don’t have a big appetite but try to eat a bit earlier.
I was hospitalised with A/F in 2014 and put on a cocktail of drugs but asked if I could have a drink of red wine with my tea and told yes just one. Obviously caution about amount is needed. Don’t know if that helps!
Hi sorry ur low I have had a couple of heart attacks and diagnosed with AF a couple of years ago on blood thinners and various other meds.I changed my drinking habit by drinking low Alcohol drinks such as bud light 3.5 instead of Stella at 5 percent and sticking to the 14 units a week rule I avoid spirits and high alcohol drinks and I’ve been fine. Chin up summers here.
i think that’s what i’ll try there are lots of low alcohol wines etc .. thanku for your positive response 😀
Hi Cholet, I am in an identical situation, having just seen my GP. What a shock! i am 79 and have been lucky enough never to have to take any pills but now have been prescribed Bisoprolol Fumarate and Xarelto. I have scoured the internet for info. on side effects etc. and have ended up feeling very stressed probably making matters worse! My friend who has heart problems says to insist your GP arranges an appt with a cardiologist.
oh i’m sorry your feeling the same 😞.. the internet is so depressing i’ve stopped reading it .. i’ve got an appt but not til may .. r u seeing a cardiologist?
I had a stroke in Oct 2019 caused by AF but didn't see a cardiologist until Dec 2020. On apixaban and bisoprolol and tested all the obvious triggers, and initially found for me hot spicy food, chocolate and alcohol set me off. However, they no longer seem to trigger AF. I now drink white wine spitzers and add as much sparkling water as I want. I think alot of AF is triggered by our minds working overtime. I also think lockdown has caused so much anxiety that its hard to have a true idea of our AF..... I am holding off an ablation until I can really judge the impact of AF in "normal" times. Keep positive.
I think we all went thru what you’re going thru and there’s loads you can learn that will help.Lifestyle probably has nothing to do with the cause of our AFib but has an enormous impact on your future.
I’m not abstain from the odd tipple (ale actually) but I’m not as gung-ho as I was. Merely to tease out what’s good and bad and what triggers, or doesn't, an episode.
You know your body best and if you investigate your tolerance you might be happily surprised at what is in store.
It’s certainly not all doom and gloom but that is the feeling I had a year ago when I was told, and given pills. Now I’ve learned to relax and read the odd health unlocked community missive for receiving help, giving help and generally to feel like I’m not alone.
Cholet you are not alone either. We are all learning and getting on with life as best we can. Up days down days, just another day to learn.
Stay calm(ish) and do some exploration.
Good luck
oh wow thank you for that .. it’s so good to read something positive... yes this group is fantastic so many people reply and been given great advice .. i’ll definitely try stay calm x
Low heart rate 
Low blood pressure 
low pulse rate
Feeling pretty low,
Feeling confused
