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[andypandy2012]

hi new to this site  have arrhythmia atrial flutter and I am starting a course of medication for treatment taking bisoprolo and digoxin

[Splandyandy]

After 3 yrs of persistent constant 24/7 AF, 3 cardioversions which didn't work for long, plenty of meds, monitors and eventually an ablation I'm now just about back in sinus and finally almost feeling normal again and aim to be off most of the meds including digoxin in few months.  However, the truly wonderful NHS surgeon who performed the successful ablation gave me some advice which nobody else had really said before and I'm really grateful for. He said : "stay off coffee completely and stay off spirits too or you will be back in AF in no time."

I wasn't a massive coffee drinker (few filter coffees and cappuccinos per week) nor a big drinker (occasional single malt and few beers each week) but I never gave up the coffee or whisky when first diagnosed with AF. 

On balance, I'm happy to live without caffeine and spirits if the result is staying out of AF longer before it (eventually) returns - which I realise is probable. 

So, may be be worth considering stopping coffee . Perhaps that's just one consultant's view and perhaps the effect on my heart is psychological rather than physical but good luck anyway!

[PeterWh in reply to Splandyandy]

I was actually told that any alcohol encourages or possibly causes AF (though in a few people does not appear to affect). Also processed foods, high salt or high sugar intakes.

[Andyj63 in reply to Splandyandy]

That's a fantastic result I hope this lasts for you. The jury is out on Caffeine if you read the research. I have regular ectopics, coffee and chocolate make no difference at all. My view is if the wiring/ electrics are faulty then stimulants wont affect it. Although it will make straight forward chemical induced racing heart worse.

[PeterWh in reply to Andyj63]

I am in persistent AF. Mt Consultant EP said caffeine, alcohol (and other things) encourage AF and hence arrhythmia.