Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) is a well known common heart rhythmic disorder. As per reports from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) almost 2.7 to 6.1 million Americans are affected from this.
A-fib causes the heart to beat in a chaotic rhythmic pattern. This can cause improper blood flow through the heart to the body. It includes confusion shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
According to Health Line, doctors typically prescribe various medications to prevent and ease Atrial Fibrillation symptoms. Minor procedural changes can restore normal cardiac rhythm. The change in lifestyle is also needed for the people with A-fib. Lifestyle changes include switching to less fat and sodium food, more vegetables and fruits etc. Above all these factors, caffeine, alcohol and stimulants should be stopped.
Health experts believe that there is a connection between alcohol, caffeine, and A-fib as their substance can trigger an attack. However, researchers are still searching for the exact reason. Health experts say that many factors identified as possible triggers for Atrial Fibrillation may work alone or together to cause the condition. As a conclusion, it is hard to exactly find out how much of caffeine or alcohol could trigger an episode of A-fib.
According to Medical News Today, alcohol is known for a specific type of Atrial Fibrillation known as Holiday Heart syndrome (HHS). HSS is the sudden appearance of A-fib in individuals who are otherwise fit and healthy but recently involved in excessive drinking pattern. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave an estimate of five drinks for men and four drinks for women in a period of two hours.
Many foods and drinks include caffeine such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and energy drinks. A study has been found in the year 2005 which was published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition uncovered that caffeine is only dangerous for people suffering from Atrial Fibrillation at a very high dose and in extraordinary circumstances.
Thus researchers conclude that people suffering from Atrial Fibrillation can consume a mild/normal level of caffeine without worrying about the problem. Thus the intake of alcohol and caffeine should be decided by the doctor, only after the full body analysis of the person suffering from A-fib.
