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A member asked:
Can people with pacemakers consume alcohol?
6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes: Alcohol in moderation (one drink per day) has actually been proven to be beneficial in most patients except those with cardiomyopathy ( a disease of the heart muscle). A pacemaker's function is not affected by alcohol intake.
Answered 2/1/2020
6.3k views
Yes: In modest social amounts (1-2 drinks) it is unlikely to cause any problems. Pacemakers are used because of slowing of the heart rate; most of alcohol's toxic effects on the heart (usually associated with heavy or binge drinking) involve increasing heart rate. However, in people with alcohol-induced heart failure (cardiomyopathy), alcohol can worsen it. Also alcohol reduces potassium & magnesium.
Answered 2/5/2019
5.4k views
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