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Does Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: I have a friend who has AFIB. He is on blood thinners, blood pressure medication, a statin and something else. I spent several hours with him today and he was acting different so I asked him if he had been drinking alcohol. He told me he drank two glasses of wine. As time went on I kept asking him how much he had to drink. He swore to me it was only 2 glasses of wine, but to me he clearly acted like he was drunk. I am wondering if it is possible he is having TIA and what the chance is when he's on blood thinners already and whether he should be seen in the ER? Need answer immediately please, I'm scared for him.
Brief Answer:
Consult a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Use of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation is justified and indicated.
The alcohol in large amount also leads to cardiac illness and rhythm disorder .
Alcohol also leads to cognitive changes and other neurological disorders.
Possibility of TIA in atrial fibrillation is less likely while on anticoagulation.
But if you are suspecting some unusual behaviour or some motor deficit then it is better to take him to doctor for proper evaluation and treatment modifications.
Hope you found the answer helpful .
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Consult a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Use of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation is justified and indicated.
The alcohol in large amount also leads to cardiac illness and rhythm disorder .
Alcohol also leads to cognitive changes and other neurological disorders.
Possibility of TIA in atrial fibrillation is less likely while on anticoagulation.
But if you are suspecting some unusual behaviour or some motor deficit then it is better to take him to doctor for proper evaluation and treatment modifications.
Hope you found the answer helpful .
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I just spoke with him again. He continues to assert he only had two glasses of wine earlier today. I asked him speciffically about things that happened and if he had any recall of them. He did recall stumbling on a step, and he says that he recalls asking someone about some things they had just explained to us moments earlier. This occurred a couple different times. He says that he was just seeking clarification. If a person was having TIA, would they recall such things?
Brief Answer:
Consult a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Transient ischemic attack(TIA) has varied manifestation depending upon the area of brain involved .
In any case if you are suspecting a change in sensorium and behaviour it is always better to visit and emergency room and consult a doctor. Moreover he has history of stumbling on stairs and may had sustained some head injury.
Brain neuroimaging may be required if suspected of some near deficit on evaluation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regard
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Consult a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Transient ischemic attack(TIA) has varied manifestation depending upon the area of brain involved .
In any case if you are suspecting a change in sensorium and behaviour it is always better to visit and emergency room and consult a doctor. Moreover he has history of stumbling on stairs and may had sustained some head injury.
Brain neuroimaging may be required if suspected of some near deficit on evaluation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regard
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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