Fast Heart Rate After Drinking Alcohol

I am glad other people have the same issue!
I am a 36 year old male, overweight but I do exercise a fair bit and have lost about 20kg over the past 2.5 years.
I used to be able to have 15-20 drinks in a binge session when I was younger with no ill affects, but wouldn't do that anymore. and would now only drink once every few weeks.
About 12 months ago I started having the heart rate issue which first occurred after I had drunk about 10 beers at a party. I usually stop drinking about 1-2 hours before I go to bed and drink lots of water so that I don't wake up feeling like c**p. On the night in question I went to bed a little bit drunk, then woke up at about 3am with my heart going at double rate!! I also started to panic thinking that I was having a heart attack!! After about 30 minutes it went away, and about 30 minutes after that I fell asleep.
I woke up in the morning and felt fine. I didn't drink again for about a month, and was fine, as I had only had about 3 beers that time. I then went off alcohol for 2 months as I was working out a lot and was trying to get fit. Each time since then that I have drunk more than 5 beers, I wake up after a few hours with this double rate heart beat. I have tried different types of alcohol, drunk plenty of water, tried to go to bed sober and it still happens. I hadn't been to the doctor about it, but 2 weeks ago, during an episode, I decided to get up and go to the toilet(normally I lay there not moving until it goes away) , and whilst in the bathroom, felt very dizzy, passed out and split my head open on the side of the shower. I then decided that I should visit the doctor, who got me to do an ecg, and blood test. All of the tests came back fine and I have normal blood pressure. She has suggested I wear a "holter monitor" for 24 hours and that I go drinking to replicate the problem, and I will do that in the next few weeks.
If I work out at the gym, my heart rate stays very steady throughout a half hour workout on the cross trainer.
The only medication I take is Nexium which helps with my reflux ( I have GORD).
I have wondered whether or not it is low blood pressure causing this issue?? After I passed out in the bathroom, I woke up and my heart beat was back to normal, something that would take 30 minutes if I was laying in bed, on either my back, or my side.

Hey
I also suffer from this problem. I am a healthy 20 year old who recently started getting very high pulse rates and pounding heart beat after only 1 drink. Champagne triggers it the worst! white wine and vodka don't cause such heavy pounding but still speed it up. so annoying:-( I do suffer from SVT attacks ( very very high pulse rate like 240 beats per minute) these attackes are random and I go to the emergency with these. The alcohol related high pulse rate is very different to these atfacks though.. and they only make it go up to about 120/130. it's so scary and i want it to stop!

I'm 29/female/108lbs at 5ft1". For the past 10yrs, I've binged drink maybe 2x a week to once in 3 months, varies. Then I became an alcoholic at 26yrs old for 1 & 1/2yr because of a huge relapse of social anxiety. Pulled chest/stomach muscles because I had horrible neck tension & stress.. When I started noticing shooting chest pains, doctor had thought it may be an acid problem. I know it wasn't though. The shooting chest pains only came from thinking an emotion, and I didn't have to move my body to feel it. The doctor also suggested (stresstabs, advanced..they are over the counter vitamins). Cardiologist said Ekg & thyroid tests came back ok. I decided to take some over the counter herbs for my heart, and it caused liver pain. Doctor ran tests and my liver was ok. He told me to eat more protein plus the vitamins. I cut back on the drinking, because of the heart pain, liver reaction to the herbs, head sinus soreness next to my ears, and vertigo at times.

My dad's side has early heart attack history, grandfather died in early 30s, and cousin died at 32 right after I had my EKG done which freaked me out more. Dad takes high blood pressure medicine plus was diagnosed with electrical short, not sure what you call that.
In the last couple years from becoming a hermit and laying around my computer for hours, I've noticed my blood circulation has become bad. I had gained 30lbs, and was eating lots of junk food/sugar, getting no physical activity.
About 1 year ago is when I cut my drinking down to about 2x in one month, and then a little over half a year ago I cut it down to once a month or once in 2 months. I also went on a diet one year ago, where I started eating mostly salads/fruits/anything natural (sometimes I cheat). I started exercising an hour everyday (sometimes I go 2weeks no workout but overall I stick with daily). I've lost 22lbs in the last year. I guess I never had been a huge coffee drinker until the last year, but I noticed sometimes it can cause me irregular heart thuds. I never had very many asthma reactions, but the last couple years I guess, had some asthma to things I'm allergic to, and when that happens my heart rate increases/pounds, less oxygen circulating plus dizziness.

It's been about 1month since my last drink, tonight I only had 2 & 1/2 shots of premium vodka with natural cranberry juice, plus 1/2 an anxiety pill (I have a backup of anxiety pills if needed on rare occasion but I don't take pills for anything else ever). Before I drank I had a salad with meat with one cup of coffee. While drinking that vodka, I had 3 cups of water. Two hours later I was done drinking, no more liquor. I had some salty junkfood, plus some chocolate and littlle soda. I was just relaxing in bed, and noticed I was a little warm, when I sat up the heart rate was horrible. Resting heart rate of 100 beats per minute. Never have I measured more than 85 as a resting heart rate, (which 85 was probably due to having an energy drink plus feeling stressed). Normally as of lately my resting heart rate is usually 73 (2 weeks ago my blood pressure was 126/86). It gets around 100 only when almost doing an aerobic exercise. Anyways.. freaked me out a bit to see myself having a resting heart rate of 100 tonight. It wasn't anxiety related, I know what a panic attack is after 12yrs of studying myself and every thing related to how I react to social situations and stress. So I had already had 3 cups of water when drinking the liquor, but decided maybe the food caused more dehydration and drank a couple coups of water slowly.. when I laid down my heart rate decreased to 86. 30 mins later I had a stresstab vitamin, 30mins even later my heart rate was down to 76.

Anyways. I would say that part of the heart rate was due to drinking coffee and having some candy/soda. Some was obviously due to drinking, bc my heart almost never acts like that unless: #1 I drink liquor, #2 wayy too much coffee, or #3 am having an asthma attack. I think laying down helps reduce the heart rate. Last month when I drank, I binged that time having about 12shots, the next day when I got up to use the restroom my heart almost popped out of my chest. So laying down & resting after drinking is best.. I know you shouldn't sleep right away after drinking, but at least lay down when the alcohol is wearing off.. or during a hangover. I've noticed red wine is the worst to cause hangovers and dehydration, esp. the cheap stuff. I realize hangovers and blood pressure problems/heart related problems usually get worse as you get older. The dehydration has gotten worse too as I get older. These stresstabs I took tonight, are very high in thiamin (667%) daily value (good for cardiac) also contains other things useful for those who drink. I've also noticed just how much being inactive can increase the risk for blood clots and bad blood pressure. And I've noticed how sleep helps immensely to repair any damage previously done. When I don't get enough sleep after a night of a 14 shots of liquor binge drink, the next couple days it seems my body does not want to get rid of the hangover..I can have it for 2-3 days. When I was having shooting chest pains two yrs ago sleep was very important then too.. if I didn't get enough each night the chest pains were much worse. I get heart flutters when I drink more than 2 cups of coffee a day, I try to cut back on caffeine overall. I think anyone that drinks more than recommended, and starts to notice heart or liver problems, should get tests done. That's about all I have.

I'm no expert. I just drink a lot and this happens to me. In good shape/competitive athlete.

My theory is that since alcohol thins the blood pumping through your body, the heart pumpsit at a higher rate than usual.

Seems to make since to me.

I only need 1 drink to get my heart going. I'll have a beer with dinner and when I go to bed my heart is pounding like it wants to break out of my chest. It doesn't necessarily beats faster, but it sure beats harder, it's a very STRONG hear beat.

I'm 32, in good health/shape, exercise regularly, and there are no heart problems in my family history.

This all started 2 years ago and hasn't stopped since. I got some tests done (EKG, ultrasound, stress test) and all was fine. My doctor said that I'm too young to worry about heart problems. But I'm afraid my heart will "age" faster because of this.

I rarely drink anymore, maybe once every 2-3 months. I didn't use to drink a lot anyway, maybe once every other week when I went out with friends, or a beer with dinner over the weekend. It sucks that I can't even enjoy that anymore. :-(

When I brought it up with my girlfriends they all laughed at me because I was worrying about it. They said it's normal and it happens to everybody. They obviously haven't had my experience. I've had my boyfriend feel my heart when it happens and he worries too.

The only solution I can seem to find right now is not to drink, but that solution sucks! I'm not saying I want to go on a bender, I just want a beer with dinner on Friday night.

The Christmas season is upon us and I've had to choose at which parties I'll allow myself a few drinks. I'll try taking some magnesium supplements and see if it helps, and I'll post back after the "selected" parties to let you all know if it made any difference for me.

Until then, Happy Holidays and safe drinking.

i have this issue as well. im a 25 yr old female. . slightly overweight..but mostly healthy overall besides issues with anxiety. i do suffer from acid reflux, but only take tums for it. i also get pounding heart with just caffeine sometimes, and then somtimes for no reason at all. like most of you, i use to drink anything i wanted with little to no consequences. within the last year i have started waking up about 3 hours after drinking w/a pounding heart. i notice that getting up out of bed and walking makes it much worse, and that controlling your breathing does help a good amount. eating before bed also makes it worse. i also noticed that it usually doesn't last longer than a half hour, and goes away as quickly as it comes. i feel at ease knowing i am not the only one experiencing this!!!!

well im another one with the same problems as everybody else here

im male 30 years old slim and in ok health i drink once or twice a month (5 or 6 beers ) and everynow and then when drinking smoke about five or less cigarettes i dont smoke unless im drinking and havent for over two years although i used to smoke on and off befor then


ive had reflux for years and have been taking nexuim 40mg every night befor dinner for the last 3 years and it seems to have made my over all problem of rapid heart rate, pins and needles ,chest pain and the over all (im having a heart attack feeling less noticable )

here are some things ive found help for me

( diet wise )

dont eat oily food , or things high in salt ,stick to lean meat or ckicken try to say away from processed food and i never drink drinks like coke or sprite thats just asking for troube

if i eat white bread , anything fried , salty food , or anything to spicy im sure to feel it the next day and if i eat enough of this c**p ill also get a high heart rate (although not as high as it would if id been drinking on the same night as this )

heres a few things ive found worked for me befor going out for a few drinks firsty eat a healthy meal befor hand and once out stay away from the junk food served at the clubs or mate houses

drink a glass or water between drinks and also when you get home from a night out eat something healty i usely eat two slices of toast or something and then sit up for about an hour after eating and i find when ever ive done this i can have my 5 or 6 beers the night befor and feel fine



unlike last night where i didnt drink any water between beers and now feel like c**p hence how i ended up here also ive also found taking another nexuim in the morning seems to make me feel a lot better if i feel c**p in the morning

trev

Drink only so much you can digest. My experience is to have alcohol with only aerated water not sweetned soft drinks. Eat quarter stomach have the drinks. Then have dinner. Drink plenty of water. Urinate atleast 4 times and then go to bed. Stop measuring the heart beats because it will increase the rate as you measure.

I drink and regularly stop it in between. If i drink for 15 days then I stop for 10 days. Immediate 2 or 3 nights after stopping I used to wake up shock not knowing where Iam and panic. Immediately i switch on TV to distract myself and I become normal soon. This stops generally after 2 or 3 days after i stop alcohol.

After drinks eat only light dinner so that system has energy to digest alcohol and food.

Wow, this is all pretty interesting, as I believe I am slowly, but surely, developing the same symptoms. I attribute it to my past and somewhat current life style.
I am 29, healthy, work out 4x a week, with plenty of cardio. 58 h.b/min. Nonsmoker. I am sort of a casual drinker (at my age), maybe about 1.5 times a week maybe 6-10 beers/week. Some would say that that is not casual but I would disagree, based on my observations. Someone who only drinks once or twice a year wouldn’t say 6-10 beers/week is casual. People who party Thursday- Sunday would say that I am below casual. Casualness is relative.
I've had my heart checked a couple times. Did all the c.t. scans, stress tests, blood work, ultra sound, etc. All to no avail. Although the cardio specialist said he couldn’t find anything, he did say that I may have slightly damaged a heart valve (so slight that the tests couldn’t detect) or that I may have contracted a rare virus, which is very unlikely.
One time, when I was around 23, I went to the E.R. for heart issues. I was taking the weightlifting drug,' Ripped Fuel', which contained 500mgs of caffeine and large amounts of ephedrine. Looking back on the situation, it was no doubt caused by the abuse I put on my body. A lot of my friends, some who were a lot older, were doing the same thing and they never had any problem. I was comparing myself to them, which mislead my eventual conclusion that my body just can't handle the abuse.
I am starting to face the truth that alcohol and caffeine aren't made for me. Recently, after a lot holiday fun, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling very nauseous and chest pains...i actually called for an ambulance. After I went 'number 2', things started to calm down and then I was fine. Didn’t need to go to the E.R after all.
I am sort of a casual drinker (at my age), maybe about 1.5 times a week maybe 6-10 beers/week. I also used to abuse coffee, sometimes drinking close to 3/4ths pot a day, with soda. This, all on top working out.
When you look at reasons why we drink and abuse substances its usually a result of some emotional factor, i.e. boredom, depression, and ignorance (mostly younger people). If you ask yourself 'why' you have to drink, smoke, eat poorly,- the process of quitting will begin.
Its only a matter of time before all that stuff catches up to your body, some sooner than later. Sclerosis of the arteries and nerve endings is greatly accelerated by abusing our bodies, I bet.

What many of you are likely experiencing is dehydration. Alcohol causes dehydration. One of the symptoms of dehydration is an increased heart rate. If you haven't had much water to drink that day (or have had mostly coffee, soda, or other beverages that will cause dehydration) just one glass of wine could make you have this sensation. It's probably nothing to worry about, but if you are concerned you should definitely see your doctor.

Hi i'm 38 year old male, been experiencing simialar patterns---- have whiskey,beer,wine till I'm buzzed then 3 a.m. sharp wake up with no hangover and a racing heart. Been checked out but no problems detected. Think its stress, but the feeling sucks because I enjoy alcohol and this is a sure turn off. My best guess is't a sugar thing

Hi I'm 38 I've experienced these episode all at around 3 a.m. I think it's stress related. Been checked out by cardioligist but no problems. This sucks because I enjoy a good buzz, but maybe its a sign to cut back or stop all together. My other suspicion it is a sugar level thing.

I can't help noticing the common thread in all these comments. For what it is worth I would have thought the best course of action after experiencing this once (or even twice maybe) would just be to abstein from alcohol entirely!

Hello wake up after a drinkers!
Male, 48. Used to drink fairly heavily - mainly beer / lager and then red wine at the weekend. When I hit 40 or so I started to wake up after a few drinks, unless I got plastered in which case I still went right through. Usually awake for 2 hours, beginning between 2 and 4 AM. Now I drink a lot less but it still happens, so as each month passes I drink less because the idea of being awake for 2 hours, and feeling dreadful the next day, takes the shine off it. Drinking 2 pints of water before bed does help but not guaranteed. Had one bottle of lager late last night and still woke up, but thanfully not for too long.
On the positive side - I now relish the idea of a good night's sleep when I've not had a drink. And it saves money!

i think i found the answer
when your heart races does your face look red and flushed?
if so you dont produce enough acetaldehyde hydrogenase
a enzyme that breaks acetaldehyde into another harmless chemical
that is then broken in to co2 and water
50% of people with asian decent have this condition
and guess what the symtoms are
flushing of face
nausea
rapid heartrate(tackycardia)
ps i get a strange version of this
my heartrate is elevated to about 100 from a normal of 75
but i usally dont notice it unless i do hard work but it doesen start till the next day
and lasts that whole day and in to the night does anyone notice it last that long with them
plus if i drink alot ill get the shakes and sometimes a panic attack like episode as im falling asleep
ill see if there is a natural way to increase that chemical and i will post back