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Does Binge Drinking Can Cause Afib?
Question: Can binge drinking cause afib that does not go away on its own?
Brief Answer:
binge drinking can cause afib but its course is variable
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
Yes binge drinking can cause afib.
This atrial fibrillation will go away on its own or not that depends on age, baseline cardiac condition, amount of alcohol taken and history of cardiac problem in past.
Young patients with no evidence of structural heart disease sometimes can be discharged without further treatment once their arrhythmia has stabilized.
Most patients with structural heart disease should be admitted for observation and treatment if the arrhythmia persists.
Patients presenting to the emergency department with sustained tachyarrhythmia secondary to acute alcohol toxicity usually can be observed with ECG monitoring. Treatment with an AV nodal blocking agent (eg, beta-blocker, verapamil, diltiazem) may be needed if the ventricular rate is excessive. If the duration of atrial fibrillation approaches 24-48 hours, cardioversion(electric stimulation to heart) should be considered to obviate the need for anticoagulation. In general, pericardioversion anticoagulation is required for atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours.
All patients must avoid excessive use of alcohol in the future.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
binge drinking can cause afib but its course is variable
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
Yes binge drinking can cause afib.
This atrial fibrillation will go away on its own or not that depends on age, baseline cardiac condition, amount of alcohol taken and history of cardiac problem in past.
Young patients with no evidence of structural heart disease sometimes can be discharged without further treatment once their arrhythmia has stabilized.
Most patients with structural heart disease should be admitted for observation and treatment if the arrhythmia persists.
Patients presenting to the emergency department with sustained tachyarrhythmia secondary to acute alcohol toxicity usually can be observed with ECG monitoring. Treatment with an AV nodal blocking agent (eg, beta-blocker, verapamil, diltiazem) may be needed if the ventricular rate is excessive. If the duration of atrial fibrillation approaches 24-48 hours, cardioversion(electric stimulation to heart) should be considered to obviate the need for anticoagulation. In general, pericardioversion anticoagulation is required for atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours.
All patients must avoid excessive use of alcohol in the future.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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