afib and alcohol

Has anyone had afib and stopped ALL alcoholic beverages and noticed a significant change in your heart rhythm ? I'm going in for an ablation the end of the month. I drink about two beverages a day.

Thanks!

9 Comments

Avoid Stress

by donb - 2014-03-13 01:03:42

I have an appointment with my Cardiologist in a couple days & I can guarantee the routine EKG (money maker) that the 2 & 1/2 hour wait in the waiting room will again show full blown Atrial-Fib in the printout.
After getting out of the wall to wall people waiting also to see my Dr & returning home, relax, & my heart settles down to normal rhythm. As I rarely do any alcohol or caffeine, I'll have to give myself a good relaxing drink to forget the drama waiting for that "golden handshake" from my Dr.
DonB

Booze Definitely Affects Rhythm

by NiceNiecey - 2014-03-13 02:03:57

Hi Jim.

Before I had heart trouble, I noticed if I drank too much, my heart had all sorts of crazy rhythms. I was in Italy about 10-12 years ago and they had table wine everywhere I went (literally just sitting on the tables like water). It was free and I drank it freely (!!!) but didn't realize that their wines were stronger than ours in the US. I had a horrible time sleeping at night from the arrhythmia.

Fast forward to 2014. I've had a PM for less than 3 months and I have Afib too (controlled with a Beta-blocker). I am not really a drinker; I just enjoy an occasional glass of wine. Since getting the PM, then Afib, then a blood clot, I figured it was about time to put up my wine glasses.

I think you should ask yourself if YOU notice a difference in your rhythm after you've had alcohol. If the answer is 'yes' then I guess you have to decide if it's worth it.

A friend of mine was told years ago to quit smoking for the sake of his heart. He told his doctor, however, that he wouldn't give up something he enjoyed. I didn't blame him. (BTW, he lived to be 82.) We all have choices.

Best of luck to you!
Niecey

A-Fib control

by Roys - 2014-03-13 05:03:33

All of the above+ chocolate and MSG would trigger AF for me.
Roy

Hi Jim

by IAN MC - 2014-03-13 05:03:57

It is probably best to avoid having a skinful if you are prone to getting a fib . There is even a medical term "holiday heart " where people binge drink and then develop heart irregularities ( not usually permanent )

As alcohol is one of the great pleasures of life it MAY be a little drastic to give up completely but as Dizzydiddlywotsit says why don't you experiment to find out i) if alcohol affects you at all and if it does ii) what are the levels of intake that don't affect you.

Cheers

Ian

On reflection

by IAN MC - 2014-03-13 08:03:32

I agree with Tracey. I have a friend who did give up alcohol completely and avoided an ablation which his doc had been threatening. In his case , any alcohol , no matter how small an amount , proved to be the trigger factor for his a fib.

I had an ablation and it really is no big deal but I guess it would be better not to have one if a simple avoidance of a trigger factor is all that is required

Best of luck

Ian

causes

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-13 08:03:52

Many things can cause afib. 90% of my mom's episodes are from alcohol or caffeine. She still has a bit here and there, but if she's really good about her diet it is easily controlled with her meds.

I would absolutely try several weeks of restricted diet- no stimulants whatsoever, no alcohol, no preservatives, keep a food diary- before having an ablation. It may or may not help, but at least you'll know.

I feel AFib with certain cheese

by LuCas - 2014-03-13 11:03:36

Hello,

I have a flutter on the verge of Afib (left atrium - 350 bpm). I have always complained to my cardiologyst that I felt my heart jump after I ate cheese. At that time, he said he had never heard of anything like that, but considered that I could be sensitive to excess of calcium. Until now, my theory has not been proven yet (that cheese cause Afib), but, in practice, things are still true. From a time on, I reduced the amount of calcium in my diet which I considered excess. If I eat cheese, I don't eat yougourt and vice-versa. Now, I feel ok. Strange, curious, but true for me. And, about alcohol, I drink a glass of wine on Sunday lunches and occasionally a glass of beer. I feel okey, but the thing is that I personally don't like alcoholic drinks. Nothing to do with religion nor any restriction. Just personal preference. But if I have to make a choice, for sure I prefer wine.

Lucio

It makes a difference.

by gleesue - 2014-03-13 12:03:40

This is a case of, we are all different. Before the PM got me more under control I found that it helped me to have a drink and relax when I had an arrhythmia. I still have a couple stiff ones almost every day and a glass of wine late in the evening. My EP has said to watch the caffeine, but has never said to stop drinking. Just be careful. I like my EP.

I also exercise almost every day, eat to many potato chips, eat to much chocolate and probably eat to many hamburgers and French fries.

Jerry

me again

by jimkirschvink - 2014-03-14 12:03:22

Thanks for all of the comments. I compared my download to my daytimer, and the worse episode of afib was when I had a bad, stressy day at work. I'm sure too much coffee doesn't help either. I'm having my second ablation at the end of the month. This one is on the left atrium, and is a harder operation than the heart flutter operation on the right, low pressure side. I'll let you know how it goes, and thanks!

JimJim

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