Do you experience shortness of breath or anxiety after consuming alcohol? If yes, you probably have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation triggered by alcohol. This condition has severe symptoms where an individual can have a heart stroke or, worse, heart failure that can lead to death.
Atrial fibrillation, commonly known as Afib, occurs when you regularly consume alcohol. A recent study shows that people with heart problems are prone to having instant reactions in the form of irregular heartbeats. It does not matter if you drink in large amounts or small sips, but the risk of damage is increased by 16%.
Drinking alcohol is something of a lifestyle choice that cannot be changed overnight. But with an increasing number of heart diseases among people, it is a must to abstain from alcohol, even on special occasions. Let us understand how deeply alcohol is rooted in atrial fibrillation.
How Does Alcohol Trigger Atrial Fibrillation?
There are multiple ways that alcohol can affect your mind and body. Some of them are listed below:
🔶 Alcohol-Induced Electrical Changes
The chambers of the heart, especially the upper ones, are responsible for the normal rhythm of the heart. When you drink intoxicated drinks, there is a slight change in the heartbeat, which can lead to irregular heartbeats or Afib.
🔶 Affects The Nervous System
We all have heard the saying, Alcohol gets in your head and starts talking. Well, it’s correct. Alcohol can affect the autonomic nervous system, which contributes to a rhythmic heartbeat. Your brain can choose between a sympathetic or parasympathetic approach.
Sympathetic approach means a fight or flight concept where it strives to make a decision from your mind. A parasympathetic approach means rest and digestion, which goes with the flow of your body. In both scenarios, there is a potential risk of arrhythmia that can be fatal.
Also Check: Alcohol And Heart Health – How Are They Related?
🔶 Imbalances In Electrolytes
The number one rule of drinking is to stay hydrated. This is not just a precaution for after-effects but has science behind the logic. When you are drinking excessive alcohol, you are also producing excessive urine.
This fluid imbalance in your body leads to the loss of electrolytes, which makes you feel dehydrated. Also, your blood pressure fluctuates when you are drinking on an empty stomach or with insufficient water. This increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.
🔶 Sleep Depravity
You must have often experienced the feeling of tiredness and wanting to sleep but not. This is one of the effects caused by drinking too much alcohol. It also causes sleep apnea and reduces the quality of sleep that you get.
🔶 Interacts With Other Medication
When you are prescribed medication for heart disease, the doctor always asks you not to consume intoxicated drinks during the course of time. The reason behind this is that when you consume alcohol along with heart medicines, you are challenging two forces inside your body. Both forces have different motives and can have adverse effects on your heart.
Tips To Stop Drinking Alcohol
Although drinking alcohol is a personal choice, it does not harm to take a look at life without those drinks. It’s never too late to start caring for yourself, and the first step is always the hardest. You need to be mentally prepared for the life that you choose for yourself, and you cannot fall weak to withdrawals. We are going to create a roadmap to stop you from drinking.
✅ Change Of Environment
Often, we see people move out of a place when there is too much hurt or bad blood associated with it. You can do the same. Change the set of friends that you drink with or the place that was your go-to drink place. This can help you move on without looking back.
✅ Incorporate Physical Fitness
Apart from being mentally strong, you also need to be physically fit to leave this drinking habit once and for all. Try going to the gym or doing a morning run to curb those cravings and focus on your fitness regime.
✅ Keep Monitoring Your Progress
You can record a daily video of yourself in the middle of a workout or start journaling to express yourself. When you record these things, you can also monitor how far you have come.
In conclusion, you can start your journey to an alcohol-free life anytime you want. All you need is a clear head and determination to reach your goal. So start taking care of your heart now and ditch those drinks!
Read More: Best Way To Detox From Alcohol: Effective Alcohol Detox Methods
