Subject: Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat
Forum: The Heart Forum

Topic Area: Palpitation

I know that an increase in heart rate during alcohol ingestion is normal, but I'm wondering how much of an increase is normal? Whenever I go out with friends and drink more than 4 cocktails during the course of an evening, my heart rate goes from 85-90 to 150-170. It usually remains high until up to 24 hours later. I also feel rather short of breath sometimes (not always) the morning after. My neck and chest turn blotchy red and remain so for a good hour after the first drink. Could this be a sign of an allergic reaction to alcohol?

Dear Shell,

Maybe your body is trying to tell you something.... You could have alcohol dehydrogenase deficiency which means your body dosen't break down alcohol properly. Are you of asian ancestry?

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.

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I just read Shells comments about her rapid heartbeat after drinking alcohol....is this normal, because I have noticed it in myself when I drink. I don't get the rash but I do notice that I have a rapid heartbeat and actually sometimes feel kinda anxious after drinking. I once checked on this and was told it was because alcohol is a stimulent THEN a depressant, that is the reason I would feel a bit jumpy when first drinking. I don't believe that my pusle rate ever got up to 150-170 before, but it was probably around 100. Is this normal? By the way, I am NOT an asian (just in case you needed to know :) Thanks for your help. Kris

The reason I asked about Asian ancestry is that these individuals are more likely to have alcohol dehydrogenase defeciency and have a "alergic" reaction to alcohol. I think the reason that alcohol increases the heart rate is because it is a vasodilator and causes the blood vessels to enlarge thus requiring the heart to pump faster. This is the reason that drinking in a hot tub is not recommended - the hot tub already vasodilates the blood vessels and adding alcohol on top of that can put a strain on the heart.

Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist

I'm a 41 year old caucasian male who over the past 15 years has had 3 episodes of rapid heartbeat followed by atrial fibrillation in which moderate alcohol consuption has been associated. The AF has lasted several hours in the worst case. How can I be tested for alcohol dehydrogenase deficiency?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat Lori 6/26/1999 (1)
  • Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 7/08/1999 (0)

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