Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Alcohol and heavy fast heart beat

I am 43 and have previously suffered from ectopic heart beats.  Over the past year I have noticed that when I drink I wake up usually after 3 hours sleep with racing heart beat, thumping in my chest and I can't sleep anymore because it feels horrible.
Last night this happened again but I was also feeling hot to the touch (I know I'm not unwell).  Drank 5 Bacardi and cokes, got in at 1am, fell to sleep and woke at 5am with all the above symptoms.  
Can someone shed some light on this for me please.  I do enjoy drinking but to be honest i only drink probably once every 6 weeks.  
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thanks ...... Very reassured by your response.  X
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Alcohol causes dehydration which can certainly cause an increase heart rate. Also if it's been a night of very heavy drinking than it can have an affect on a persons electrolytes. This depends on the person and how much they have indulged, but it has been known to happen and this again can have an affect on a persons heart rate and rhythm.
Helpful - 0
1807132 tn?1318743597
I have this problem as well mostly with hard liquor which it sounds like you had.  I believe it is simple sinus tachycardia and not much of a concern.  Why I say this is I also had an accessory pathway svt and it is a totally different feeling.  The svt was manic and my heart would race to around 230bpm but with the drinking tachycardia my heart rate was around 120 laying and up to 150 upon getting up but it simply felt fast though it did make me a bit short of breath.  Do you know what your rate is when it happens?  Basically if I drink a lot of water I can get it to stop though once I woke with it and got it to stop but then woke with it again.  I don't know being that it is a type of sinus tachycardia there is anything that can be done beyond not drinking or making sure you are very hydrated before you go to bed.  Maybe try switching to beer and see if that helps. In any event, the next time it happens see if you can get a reading of what your pulse is and if it is super high maybe go and see your doctor but I do rather think it is just a response to the alcohol and maybe dehydration and nothing to worry about but mention it to your doctor at your next check up just to be sure.  Take care.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community

Top Arrhythmias Answerers
1807132 tn?1318743597
Chicago, IL
1423357 tn?1511085442
Central, MA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.