When alcohol is combined with atrial fibrillation, the risk of developing serious life-threatening heart conditions steadily rises. Atrial fibrillation, or afib, is known as one of the most common heart rhythm disorders that results in the irregular beating of the heart that often causes improper blood flow. When blood cannot properly move throughout the body, a number of health issues can arise.
The Consumption of Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation
Alcohol is known to affect one’s heart rate. Given this information, it is important to understand what afib and alcohol are doing to the body when occurring simultaneously. Drinking alcohol causes the muscles in the veins to relax, contract, and become narrow. Atrial fibrillation causes blood in the veins to flow slower which, in turn, makes for an extremely labored process. Improper blood flow and an irregular heart rate increase the risk of heart failure and strokes. Numerous cardiologists and other medical professionals have studied the connection between alcohol consumption and afib, as well as many other heart problems. Drinking alcohol significantly increases the chance of developing a heart rhythm condition within as little as a few hours.
The Power of a Single Drink
When compared to an individual that drinks no alcohol, it has been found that just a single alcoholic beverage per day can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation over the span of many years. The average person believes that heavy alcohol consumption is the only way to increase the risk of afib, but studies have proven that it only takes one drink to increase the chances. While alcohol effects on afib are already intensified, intoxication alone can impact the heart rate. This is because consuming alcohol can trigger various heart-related symptoms including heart palpitations and heightened risk for blood clots, heart failure, and stroke.
Withdrawal Can Cause Atrial Fibrillation
Through extensive studies, it has been found that drinking alcohol is a common cause of developing afib. Unfortunately, those that experience afib due to alcohol consumption might also experience afib due to alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal from any addictive substances affects the body and health in many ways. In fact, withdrawal physically slows the central nervous system and its functions. For frequent drinkers, this is more often the case than not. While the body goes through a withdrawal period, the nervous system essentially has to rewire itself and readjust to not drinking. Frequent alcohol consumption causes the body to almost rely on the substance. Heart problems such as blood clots, circulation problems, and heart attacks can arise when afib and alcohol withdrawal are combined.
Safely Withdrawing from Alcohol
Withdrawing from a long-term habit or addiction like alcoholism can be a very difficult process, and if not done correctly, it can cause a number of health problems. Given this information, it is best to take advice from medical professionals in order to safely withdraw from alcohol. In an effort to avoid serious heart issues and new or worsening heart conditions, substance abuse experts and rehabilitation facility leaders can make the process of quitting much safer.