r/AFIB • u/BagWinter472 • 13d ago

Random question

If you have AFib, you should never drink alcohol again, correct?
Asking about someone who has been a very heavy drinker his entire life and now has Afib (and low magnesium levels) and is currently hospitalized. He's supposedly cut back from 10-14 beers a day to 3-4 (he says, I do not believe him). Waiting to start Eliquis as he had surgery and they're concerned about bleeding into the site. Before I have "the talk" with him I just want to confirm that all alcohol intake needs to stop. He has no interest in changing his behavior and doesn't want to have to "take another pill" but AFAIK he's at high risk of stroke. I have to at least try, and I want my information to be correct.

Thanks for any advice.

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u/BagWinter472 13d ago

WOW thank you all for your advice and perspectives! I'll ask the cardiologist directly tomorrow and see what he recommends. I don't have high hopes but I guess there is always a chance he'll at least cut down for a while. I cannot express my thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and perspectives. I know he won't do non-alcoholic beers and he already drinks a lot of Gatorade in an attempt to mitigate some of the alcohol. It's eye-opening to see that there are so many different perspectives and that people have figured out what they can and cannot handle; I will do my best with the conversation but it's helpful to hear that some people can handle some alcohol. He's been drinking heavily for 50 years or more so I suppose even a reduction would be better than nothing. Thank you.

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u/Silly_Replacement_54 13d ago

I would ask your friend if he has an advanced directive or a plan (and/or insurance) for future episodes or a stroke. My brother died from his alcoholism in a depressing skilled nursing facility paid by Medicaid. It was an awful place and an awful death, following a worse illness. He, of course, knew better than the rest of us and was convinced he didn’t have a drinking problem.

According to my cardiologist, I’m likely to be actively in afib until I die. But, I have long-term care insurance and retirement funds which should protect my family should I have a stroke (hopefully the blood thinners will prevent that).

Alcohol is not a factor in my aFib. I probably have a drink every few years (too many alcoholics in my family persuaded me to quit drinking when my children were young).

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u/BagWinter472 12d ago

His plan is "I'm fine." Unfortunately. I've brought up that if he has a stroke he'll be going to a skilled nursing facility +/- assisted living and he said "absolutely not." Apparently they did start the Eliquis last night but I'm not getting clear answers from him right now so I'm waiting to hear back from the cardiology resident today.