Re: Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat

Posted By Shell on June 01, 1999 at 16:25:21
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?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 01, 1999 at 17:04:30
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.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.











Follow Ups:


Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat Kristine 6/03/1999
(4)

Re: Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 6/04/1999
(3)

Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat JP 6/09/1999
(2)

Re: Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat Lori 6/26/1999
(1)

Alcohol and Rapid Heartbeat CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 7/08/1999
(0)