Hi @afrobin. I tripped over your final sentence about a friend with Afib who doesn't want to give up his wine and coffee. I wish him well, given my experience. My Afib was diagnosed four years ago by a EKG in my annual physical, but I have never felt any symptoms. Nevertheless, I had a small stroke almost a year ago as a result of a blood clot formed in my heart. Since then, I have religiously obeyed the FDA-approved label on my Coumadin anticoagulant -- no liquor at all and reduced consumption of coffee. Hated to abandon my vintner, but I don't want another stroke from alcohol thinning my anticoagulant into the danger zone.

I also appreciate your other observations, especially the one regarding statins. A friend has SVT and was experiencing periods of dizziness and lethargy, so her doctor took her off Simvastatin (because it conflicts too much with her antiarhythmic meds), transferred her to Lipitor and -- in short order -- cut that dose from 20mg a day to 10mg per day. As a result, less threat of intensifying her Diabetes-2 and, more important, no more dizzy spells for over a week now.

Martin

My cholesterol is average, not high. There was no reason for my afib except difficulty breathing (chronic bronchitis & mild asthma) or drinking wine with dinner. I have pretty much given up wine and coffee. I have tried them both since my diagnosis and they don't seem to trigger afib, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I gave up chocolate, don't smoke, and am otherwise doing everything I used to do. I've always been active--biking, hiking, walking, and doing yard work, and eat a good Mediterranean diet that's mostly veggie with occasional fish or chicken. So yeah, I was in EXCELLENT health before all this heart garbage started.
My goal is to live long enough to see my grandchildren grow up (the youngest is 10 months) and to be able to travel to see them. That's it. Thanks for response.