Alcohol and PM

Alcohol

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-03 23:33:09

What does your EP say?  My cardiologist once told me that I could have one drink a day, "it would probably be good for you".  I don't because it's easier than drinking one.

Alcohol

by Shana - 2019-04-04 01:10:25

My EP said one drink a week... 😊

Moderation

by Benjijohn - 2019-04-04 02:17:13

My doctors told me to drink in moderation. It helps me with my stress level as well.

But I agree with Agentx86. Sometimes It is harder just to have a glass or 2. So, I try my best not to drink except holidays or special days

And I would strongly suggest you to never drink like the good old days before the PM. The next 24 hours for me were really a nightmare. Usual hangover effects multiplied by 100 times, including palpitations

Your doctor will give you the best answer. Good luck

heart and alcohol

by Tracey_E - 2019-04-04 09:32:21

The pacer is not affected by alcohol.  All it does is make your heart beat faster, it doesn't notice if there is alcohol in your blood stream. The underlying reason why you have the pacer may make it a bad idea to drink, ask your doctor. Mine said drinking in moderation is fine, and that one drink of red wine a day is good for me. Who am I not to obey my ep?? 

I'll drink to that !

by IAN MC - 2019-04-04 10:22:14

I much prefer Tracey's doctor to Shana's .

It always fascinates me that doctors' advice on alcohol varies so much . I think it reflects their own drinking habits  ( and prejudices ) rather than evidence-based data.

Ian

Thanks for posting this

by Newbie4444 - 2019-04-04 14:17:25

I'm 37 and just received my pacemaker almost 4 weeks ago for the same thing- complete heart block, but due to a high vagal tone. I'm planning on asking my EP about the alcohol thing at my 6 week checkup. They didnt say anything to me about avoiding alcohol when I left the hospital. I've been drinking a glass or two of wine with dinner (on weekends I may go for the "Large" 2 glasses).  I haven't noticed any problems. The only thing I'm weary about is I know that alcohol thins the blood and they told me to avoid ibuprofen during the healing period because that thins the blood. So I'm sure too much alcohol during the healing period could delay or interfere with the proper healing. Once we hit the 6 week mark though, I was told to go back to life as usual, which for me means alcohol! (obviously, I may be more mindful of what I'm consuming now that I have a PM, but I'm not an alcoholic so don't think I will need to  alter my drinking habits significantly.)

I agree with Tracey E

by LondonAndy - 2019-04-04 19:43:06

I drink in moderation, both before the pacemaker and since, and have not noticed any difference.  It is not the pacemaker that is the problem, it would be the reason for the pacemaker being needed that would affect whether alcohol is a problem.

"Even one drink a day increases risk of a stroke" - BBC

by LondonAndy - 2019-04-05 04:46:20

Having just posted the comment above, on the BBC news website today is a story about how even light to moderate drinking increases blood pressure and having a stroke!  See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47817650 

" It may do in China , Andy "

by IAN MC - 2019-04-05 09:23:17

Thanks,  I saw this myself today and am slightly suspicious of the conclusions.

This study was done in China and , according to one report, 500,000 Chinese people were followed for 10 yrs.

It is well-known that 30% of Chinese have genetic differences which affects the way they metabolise alcohol. Roughly 1 in 3 experience facial flushing when they consume any alcohol because they lack an enzyme which helps to break it down.  The scientists doing the study seemed to work on the assumption that these 30 % never drink so they used them as controls in the study .   I have spent some time in China and know for a fact that many of the affected Chinese DO drink despite the facial flushing which results

I would be more convinced if similar results were shown in western populations.

..... so I am not going to pour all my booze down the sink just yet  ( it goes well with a Chinese takeaway !! )

Cheers

Ian

PM and Alcohol...

by AmazonHunter - 2019-04-05 09:43:04

I just had my PM installed on 3-27-2019 for complete heart block as well.  When I was being discharged from the hospital the cardiologist assistant stopped in to see me.  I asked her if I needed to be on any special diet.  I then asked if it were ok for me to drink beer.  She told me that my problem was electrical not plumbing so I could eat or drink what I want.

;)

by Shana - 2019-04-05 10:15:09

I should have added...one drink per week with the tachycardia and other arrhythmias I have been gifted along with the block. 😊

Another please...

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-05 13:38:57

The bottom line is that a pacemaker isn't a reason to drink, or not. The underlying problem that caused you to get a pacemaker might be. I can imagine that any alcohol and CHF is a very bad idea. The jury is out on Afib, though binge drinking is widely (though perhaps not universally) believed to cause AF. Other issues can go either way. Alcohol is a known toxin and in large amounts is bad, particularly for those already with heart issues. Listen to your doctor.  ...or not. Your choice.

Drinking for pleasure

by Selwyn - 2019-04-06 13:17:16

The recent study of Chinese looked at daily consumption of alcohol and its association with hypertension. There was no benefit in drinking even one alcoholic drink daily for health benefit, sadly. The effect of antioxidants etc. in red wine was not studied. 

There is a known association between alcohol and the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( I put myself to the 'sword' using alcohol when I had a Holter monitor on me for 48 hours).

All the medical evidence points to having days free of alcohol, and not to exceed 14 units per week. As the recent Chinese study shows REGULAR intake of alcohol is bad for you.  Pacemakers are not affected by alcohol. 

I continue to drink socially.  I have found that my AF is not affected by alcohol. In fact, having had a fair bit of alcohol and a coffee when I had my 48 hrs of Holter monitor in place, I was OK- up until I got into the car with my wife driving- and then I had an attack of AF!

Enjoy drinking socially and in moderation. Have days free of alcohol. 

I find even for coffee, it is best to be predominantly decaffeinated, then when you do try the real stuff- wow!