New PM

Don't ask me.

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-07 17:02:30

You're not going to get the answer you want. Your cardiologist/EP isn't likely to either.

Your pacemaker doesn't care about what you drink but your body sure does. Depending on why you need a pacemaker, the answer will change from "Are you nuts?", to "Are you friggin' nuts?".

Drinks

by AmyV - 2019-04-07 20:42:05

I asked the same question. Occasionally a beer at the lake or dinner sounds good.  My EP tosl me it's ok as long as I stay hydrated. Every person situation different and all. I havent been brave enough while also taking Digoxin

a difference between A drink and four

by jessie - 2019-04-07 21:59:46

i would have to say maybe one or two at most. i dont partake so therefore i dont need to consider it.

Not long

by El Gordo - 2019-04-08 08:01:05

Wow. No judgement here!

I'd wait until I was finished all the medication I'd been prescribed (although back when I drank, I wouldn't have waited at all).

I don't see that the effects of alcohol are different for someone with a pacemaker, so I'm not sure why the significance is being attached to the volume. If you're a person who drinks twice a week without a pacemaker, you're the same person drinking twice a week with a pacemaker. If you drink less or more, the same thing applies. I'm not aware of any additional hazard being introduced by the pacemaker. At least you don't have to worry about your heart stopping. 

Wow! No judgment here!

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-08 11:15:09

Nope. None at all. Experience speaking. If you choose not to listen, well...

You're right, the same person who drank a sixer after a PM is the same guy who drank a sixer before. He didn't learn anything. Not everyone who drinks will have heart problems but we are here.

Not everyone who smokes dies of it but my FIL didn't ("couldn't ") stop after bypass surgery (in 1969, when they were much more of an ordeal. He didn't stop, even knowing that he'd drawn the short genetic straw. He couldn't stop after his second, a decade later. He did stop, permanently, a few years later.

We (and that means you) now know that you have a short genetic straw on your hand. What do you do with it? ....and, yes, quantity matters.

What about your meds?

by Hoser - 2019-04-08 21:53:26

In my case, I take a beta blocker every day which recommends no alcohol. It is really up to the meds you have to take whether you will be able to drink or not.

He's Right!!!

by El Gordo - 2019-04-09 10:48:36

Rich : FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP SMOKING IF YOU GET A BYPASS !!!!

Until then, you might want to relax with a cold beverage if it doesn't interfere with your meds.

A few brews

by Rich rivera - 2019-04-09 12:21:56

I actually don’t have a heart issue ,the problem is the electricity wasn’t getting to the heart , the heart checked out fine I just could not get the rate above 32

Permission to drink? Really?

by Gotrhythm - 2019-04-09 17:29:56

Alcohol makes no difference at all to your pacemaker. Drinking or not-drinking will not affect its function.

Since this question arises with some frequency--every week or two--I have begun to wonder what doctors are telling their patients and why.

Myself, I have 1-2 glasses of wine once a week with no ill effects. In addition, at social events, perhaps 6 times a years, I will have a glass or two. But my doctors have never mentioned alcohol as a problem for me, and I have discovered none on my own.

If your doctor has told you not to drink, then I would suggest you ask enough questions to understand why. Then, as long as you do understand and are willing to live with the consequences, I would say it's your body. Whether and how much you drink is up to you.

If your doctor has not told you not to drink, then I say it's your body. Whether and how much you drink is up to you.

You're a grown up. It's not my job to give you pernission.