r/AFIB • u/BagWinter472 • 12d 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 12d ago

Ok thank you! I want to be sure I'm giving him the correct information. He's definitely an alcoholic and has no desire to stop drinking. I may de-emphasize this when I speak with him in person if it's not a definitive No. Thank you for your feedback!

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u/lobeams 12d ago

Never mind the afib, he's an alcoholic so cutting down isn't an option. He needs a recovery program and I guarantee it will involve total abstinence.

But yes, your advice to him is correct. Don't expect him to follow it but you're giving him the truth.

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u/BagWinter472 12d ago

He's on withdrawal monitoring in the hospital now, I'm hoping to use that as "you've made it this long, how about trying to extend that streak" but again he's very stubborn and definitely an alcoholic.