Heart Pain, Left Arm Numbness/Soreness, Increased Heart Rate after Drinking Alcohol

[camo man]

I'm 23 year old student and I have heart pain, left arm numbness/soreness, increased heart rate, and hot flashes from time to time.  I've been to the hospital 3 times for it last July - August, and I've had every blood test possible and an echo (everything came back normal).  I've now realized that I get these symptoms the day after I've been drinking alcohol.  I was wondering if a hangover can be the cause these symptoms?  Thank you for your help.    

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,
Increased heart rate and hot flashes can happen with a hang over, chest pain would be atypical.  Drinking too much can cause atrial arrhythmias, but that usually doesn't causes chest pains.  If you have a normal physical exam, EKG, and echo, it doesn't sound like anything to worry about.  I would try drinking in moderation.

Thanks for posting.

[tickertock]

Binge drinking, 5 or beers or the equivalent in hard liquor or spirits have caused some of the same symptoms for me, while I do like to drink a few beers, I have to realise it's just the not worth the price I pay for it the next day, I also have a connective tissue disease which doesn't help either.This might apply to your symptoms at all, my experience only.Take care. Drinking in excess can cause something known as the "holiday heart syndrome".

[tickertock]

what I met to write is this might not apply to your symptoms(not might apply as written in the previous comment) Sorry.

[riverwide]

well, does anyone seem to experience really bad pvc's the day after drinking?  I get them on the day after even if I've only had two beers!
So no hangover or anything else.

And wine seems to be worse than beer!

[tickertock]

I used to get them up to a day or 2 after drinking, though I have a drink quite a bit to get them since Ive been on atenolol. PVCs & tachycardia after drinking, no fun.  I still take a few occasionally, try not to overdo it , like the CCF doc said moderation is the key.

[bzmed]

Tickertock,

If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me what sort of connective tissue disorder you have and how it impacts (or causes) your heart issues?  How long ago were you identified with connective tissue disorder?

Thanks!

bzmed

[tickertock]

I have ankylosing spondylitis, It makes me very painful and stiff especially in the mornings. It can affect the heart valve(mainly the aortic valve)usually its effects to the heart is very limited even when it does affect the valve, it only affects the heart valve in about 3% of all persons diagnosed with AS, it can affect the conduction system of the heart also.I've always had palpitations(tachycardia & PVCs) from time I can remember , I'm now 42 and basically in good health otherwise, I can't say the palps that I have is connected to the disease or not , even though any inflammatory process can affect the heart as one cardiologist told me. So far it has not affected my heart valve, at least the last echo in 2005 showed no leakages of the valves whatsoever. I was diagnosed in 2000, though I had significant symptoms from about 1996. I always had mild aches that were probably related to the disease. I had major surgery in 1993 to remove my gallbaldder(conventional cut   6 to 7 inch back then)my gallbladder was so diseased and had so many stones it could not be done like how it's usually done these days. I personally think that invasive traumatic surgery triggered the AS that was fairly dormant in my body (my opinion only as thats when significant symptoms started). I also have fibromylagia (fibromyalgia) & CFS & costochondritis secondary to the AS, but the key is to keep moving no matter what , never give up or give in. Hope this explains it, sorry for the long ramble.

[bzmed]

Thanks for the info.... I have an appointment with the rheumatologist tomorrow to discuss connective tissue disorders.  I hope he can resolve it for me.  I just need answers for all of these symptoms.  I am 45 but feel 85 and am just really tired.  When I was researching the heart issues I am having - connective tissue disorders came up as a possible cause and when I looked it up the light bulb went on for the various symptoms I (and other family members) have had for many years (and generations) now.  

Thank you for sharing your information.  I hope you are feeling well.

[tickertock]

good luck with your appointment, everyday is a battle royal with these diseases, my family has a history of these diseases as well, my brother was diagnosed with Reiters syndrome in 1992, he'll be 50 this year and still suffering, sometime you have more than one & they overlap. I have a first cousin with sarcoidosis also. My mom is afflicted RA, both my grandmothers also have RA, though I suspect this is from father's maternal side of the family, though he and and his brothers & sisters have escaped the diseases, it skipped them! It does not appear to affect the lifespan though as the average life expectancy on both my mother & father side is around 88-92 years of age.Amazingly nearly everyone of them complained of tachycardia & palpitations all their life.Keep me posted on what you find out , once again Good luck.

[bzmed]

Tickertock,

I am so glad I didn't cancel the appointment with the rheumatologist.  He was very supportive and thorough.  It is suspected that I have a hereditary connective tissue disorder,  most likely Ehlers-Danlos ... slim possibility of Marfan's (I am not tall or thin though  :-(  )  My great grandfather looked very Marfan (but he died of an aortic aneurism the year I was born so I only have a few pictures).  The rheumy did some blood, urine and x-rays and I will be returning in two weeks for the results and his official diagnosis.  He was impressed with my flexibility and skin symptoms.  He said he also has cousins with Ehlers-Danlos so is familiar with it.  He said they usually refer those with suspected hereditary connective tissue disorders to a dr in Houston (I live in Austin) so I hope after my appt with him in two weeks I will be headed to Houston to resolve once and for all.

Hope you are well and the weather is good where you are!  We are actually getting sleet and freezing rain today.....in Austin, Tx...in April !!!!  How amazing is that!  Happy Easter.

bzmed

[tickertock]

Thanks for the update, hope things go well for you , once a CTD can be diagnosed most of them are very treatable and dont impact longevity that much.

My oldest sister lives in Palestine , Texas,( coincidentally she is thought to have a CTD also. It's small world. I live in the Northwest Central Caribbean, it's very warm here, the only trouble is we are in the Hurricane track most of the time. We were hit hard in 2004 by Ivan( thought I wouldn't survive it), but all is well once again.Good luck.

[tickertock]

Almost forgot. Happy Easter to you also.

[GRANDMA2847]

CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF TAKING HEART MEDS AND DRINKING BEER AND PLAYING DARTS CAN CAUSE THE SKIN IN MY UPPER ARMS TURN BLUE THE NEXT DAY. MY SON'S GIRLFRIEND IS TAKING MEDS FOR PALLIATION AND THIS HAPPENS TO HER EVERY WEEK THE DAY AFTER THE BEER DRINKING. SHE LOOKS AS IF SOMEBODY BEAT HER UP AND SHE TELLS US IT IS FROM THE ALCOHOL AND THE MEDS. IT CONCERNS ME TO SEE HER LOOK THIS WAY, SEEMS LIKE EVERY THURSDAY.

[bzmed]

Wow!  So let me preface this by saying I am NOT a doctor or medical professional in any way.  

That being said, she should not be drinking while taking medication for palpatations.  There are some that say excessive bleeding may be a side affect.  The alcohol can also cause additional problems.  Look up her medication on one of the medication websites and it will give you the side affects and other precautionary statements.

Good luck.

[wendywitch]

A related discussion, drinking was started.