What to do if you have pain in the heart after drinking alcohol, characteristic symptoms

The effect of alcoholic beverages on the cardiovascular system

Small doses of alcohol may have a protective effect on blood vessels. This is due to the fact that it lowers the level of low-density lipoproteins and cholesterol, and also inhibits their penetration into the vessel wall. In addition, doses of less than 10 g of ethanol per day reduce fibrinogen content, and hence the formation of blood clots.

The danger of taking even a small amount of alcoholic beverages is that addiction quickly develops and exceeding the recommended norm. Taking large quantities radically changes the clinical picture.

Acute alcohol intoxication leads to the following disorders:

• the contractile function of the myocardium is inhibited;
• after a short-term dilation of blood vessels, their long-term spasm appears;
• there is a sharp increase in blood pressure;
• the blood supply to the heart muscle is disrupted, which provokes angina attacks;
• the potassium content in the blood decreases, and the level of catecholamines increases - these are risk factors for severe arrhythmia.

Chronic consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to the formation of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In the cells of the heart muscle, the synthesis of protein and ATP molecules is disrupted. This leads to their weakening due to energy deficiency. Fat is deposited inside the cells.

Thus, the myocardium loses its functions. At the same time, the heart increases in size. Flabby myocardial muscle with expanded cavities cannot cope with physical activity, which leads to the following manifestations:

• shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat when running or walking quickly;
• swelling of the legs;
• pain in the heart area;
• arrhythmia.

If these symptoms progress, acute coronary insufficiency, sudden cardiac arrest, massive heart attacks, and ventricular fibrillation may develop. Each of these factors can be fatal.

We recommend reading about first aid for heart pain. You will learn about the causes of heart and non-heart pain, help with heart pain with respiratory arrest. And here is more about the causes of non-heart pain that radiates to the stomach.

How does alcohol affect the heart?

This aspect deserves special attention. Alcohol in small doses can have a protective effect on blood vessels. This is primarily due to the fact that alcohol reduces the level of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. In addition, it inhibits the penetration of these substances through the walls of blood vessels. Also, ethanol in an amount of less than 10 g per day can reduce the content of fibrinogen in the blood. This significantly reduces the risk of blood clots. But everything is good in moderation.

The main danger of regularly drinking alcohol is the development of addiction. Taking ethanol in large quantities can cause completely different symptoms. The consequences of acute alcohol intoxication may include the following disorders:

• inhibition of the contractile function of the heart muscle;
• prolonged vasospasm after short-term dilation;
• a sharp increase in blood pressure;
• disruption of myocardial blood supply;
• angina attacks;
• decreased potassium levels in the blood;
• an increase in the level of catecholamines, and as a consequence the risk of developing severe arrhythmia.

The main reasons why the heart hurts after alcohol

The main cause of cardiac pain after drinking alcohol is spasm of the coronary vessels. Cardialgia usually develops 2–3 days after alcohol abuse, during the period of recovery from binge drinking. These are gradually increasing painful sensations in the area of ​​the heart, aching or pulling, which are not relieved by taking nitroglycerin and are not associated with physical activity.

Such an attack can last for hours, aggravated by a feeling of lack of air, increased heartbeat.
Even healthy people experience rhythm disturbances, which, together with pain syndrome, are combined into the term “holiday heart”. Arrhythmia can be in the form of:

• tachycardia;
• extrasystoles;
• attack of atrial flutter;
• conduction disturbances in the myocardium like blockade.

Symptoms of heart problems

Alcohol poisons the human body.
Alcohol disrupts the functioning of individual organs and entire systems, and the body’s recovery is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and even severe pain. Often, when people have a hangover, their heart hurts - and this is an alarming signal. Pain in the heart is accompanied by several signs that indicate that the functioning of the lungs and cardiovascular system is impaired. These are the symptoms:

• you have difficulty breathing;
• a feeling of tightness appeared in the chest;
• the heart beats abnormally strongly and frequently;
• his face turned blue;
• arrhythmia appeared;
• swelling;
• dyspnea.

Most people suffering from a hangover complain about these symptoms. In severe cases, the list is supplemented by arterial hypo- and hypertension, as well as hypertensive crisis. This may even end in fainting.

The human brain feeds on oxygen. If the pulse quickens and the blood pressure jumps, then the supply of oxygen to the brain is disrupted. Lack of oxygen increases the risk of stroke. A hangover can worsen heart failure or coronary artery disease, which is often the cause of chest pain.

Neglecting cardiac symptoms is dangerous: you can wait for cardiac death. One of the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption is arrhythmia. A frequent heartbeat is not just an unpleasant sensation, but the cause of problems in the functioning of a vital organ.

Such conditions can result in death. The more you drank the day before and the stronger the drinks, the more your heart will hurt and the worse your hangover. If you have chronic diseases, they will worsen the condition.

Cardiac examination in such cases often shows pseudoangina or pseudoinfarction. A swollen and blue face with hangover pain in the heart can be a sign of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Heartache or high blood pressure - how to tell the difference?

Blood pressure increases with daily alcohol intake, and the degree of its increase is directly proportional to the dose of pure alcohol in the drink. The tone of the vascular wall is influenced by the following factors:

• increased release of stress hormones into the blood - adrenaline and cortisol;
• increased insulin secretion;
• an increase in calcium levels in the blood against the background of low levels of magnesium and potassium.

Alcoholic drinks can lead to a persistent increase in blood pressure such as hypertension or acute vascular crises, complications that can lead to stroke and heart attack.
Alcohol stimulates atherosclerotic changes in the wall of blood vessels when consumed regularly in high doses. This is the main cause of early atherosclerosis and hypertension in young people.

High blood pressure is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• headache at any time of the day (at night, after waking up);
• a feeling of heaviness or fullness, compression by a hoop;
• noise in ears;
• When the head is tilted, the pain intensifies;
• worries about pain in the heart;
• There are flashing dots before the eyes, a veil.

Vascular spasm is a common reaction of the body to alcoholic drinks. To normalize vascular tone, at least 4–7 weeks must pass after alcohol intoxication. Heart pain can be an independent symptom or a manifestation of hypertension. With alcohol abuse, it is difficult to distinguish between them, since they are united by similar development mechanisms. Only measuring blood pressure with a tonometer can help determine the cause of pain.

Why does a hangover cause heart pain?

Pain from a hangover in the heart area is one of the main signs of this condition. It manifests itself under the influence of various factors. Among non-cardiac causes, the harmful effects of ethanol on the digestive organs stand out:

• liver;
• pancreas;
• stomach.

Due to the disruptions that have arisen, the patient feels his heart begin to tighten. The source of discomfort is located a little lower, but it radiates to the thoracic region.

Cardiac causes of heart pain after drinking alcohol are more dangerous:

• disturbance of vascular tone;
• serious heart pathologies;
• heart failure.

The above-mentioned pathologies are accompanied by other malfunctions that can increase the severity of the clinical picture of the hangover syndrome:

Such failures can manifest themselves primarily, that is, without the influence of cardiac pathologies, or secondarily under their influence. In the first case, the prognosis is positive. Relief occurs after a few hours. In case of secondary occurrence, pain in the heart may remain even after a hangover. To stop them, the main pathological process will have to be eliminated.

Severe heart pathologies

Arrhythmias influence the formation of life-threatening pathologies of the cardiovascular system (heart attack, thromboembolism). They are accompanied by virtually all cases of hangover. A person experiences a rapid heartbeat with a periodic sensation of heart stopping. Sometimes you can hear strange sounds (squelching) in the chest area. At home, it is not possible to timely identify arrhythmia and determine the degree of its danger. You will need to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate the conduction system and electrical activity of the heart muscle.

Acute pain in the heart with a hangover is a common sign of arrhythmia. In addition to this, other symptoms can be identified:

• general weakness;
• loss of consciousness;
• uncontrollable fear;
• feeling of lack of air;
• dizziness;
• shortness of breath, worsening with physical activity.

A detected irregularity in the heartbeat is a signal to call an ambulance. Mild attacks of sinus tachycardia are not dangerous, but they can develop into more severe forms (atrial fibrillation, extrasystole). Because of them, cardiac diseases often develop.

Heart failure

After drinking alcohol, pain in the heart area may be associated with the development of heart failure. In chronic alcoholism, they occur due to constant pressure surges and the effects of arrhythmia. The ability of the heart muscle to contract weakens, which manifests itself in the form of shortness of breath, developing into suffocation, general weakness and fatigue.

The most dangerous complication of heart failure is pulmonary edema. It is characterized by the following clinical picture:

• the appearance of cold sweat;
• blue skin;
• cough;
• discharge of pink sputum;
• dyspnea;
• swelling of the neck veins;
• bradycardia;
• increase in blood pressure;
• confusion.

Disturbances in vascular tone

Severe pain in the heart after drinking alcohol may indicate a violation of vascular tone. Other symptoms will confirm your fears:

• feeling of heartbeat;
• tinnitus;
• general weakness;

• lack of air;
• facial redness;
• dizziness;
• arrhythmia;
• frequent urination;
• panic attack;
• migraine.

Disturbances in vascular tone occur due to metabolic disorders due to intoxication caused by ethanol breakdown products. According to statistics, this is the main cause of pain in the heart after drinking alcohol. The severity of the discomfort depends on the severity of the hangover syndrome.

How to help your heart after alcohol

It is not always possible to see a doctor. Therefore, lovers of alcoholic beverages should know how to help themselves.

For high blood pressure

The most important thing for vascular symptoms associated with drinking alcoholic beverages is to stop taking them and remove them from the body. If you are worried about high blood pressure the next day, then to alleviate the condition you need to take enterosorbent (activated carbon, polysorb, enterosgel). The decrease in pressure should be slow.

Enterosorbents

For the treatment of hypertension, traditional antihypertensive and sedative drugs are used on the recommendation of a doctor. A prerequisite for effective treatment is to reduce sodium in the diet, coffee and strong tea, and quit smoking. It is necessary to avoid emotional and physical stress until the pressure stabilizes.

For pathology of the heart muscle

Treatment of cardiomyopathy caused by alcohol abuse is possible only with complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages, since heart medications are not compatible with ethanol, and the risk of intoxication increases. They also reduce the amount of liquid and salt in the diet.

B vitamins

The following groups of drugs are used for treatment:

• improving myocardial nutrition;
• B vitamins;
• beta blockers;
• aspirin;
• potassium and magnesium salts.

For heart failure, low doses of cardiac glycosides, diuretics, and antispasmodics are used.

Why does tachycardia appear from alcohol?

When alcohol enters the body, it triggers many processes, the purpose of which is liberation from the aggressor (ethanol). In fact, the onset of intoxication includes a special mode of operation for all organs and systems. There is an acceleration of metabolic processes, dilation of blood vessels, activation of the liver and kidneys, an increase in the rate of removal of toxins by any means, and an acceleration of the heart rate.

It is believed that it is possible to speak about the onset of tachycardia only when the number of heartbeats per minute exceeds 90. This rhythm itself creates stress on the work of the heart and the entire system under its control. But the real danger is the combination of arrhythmia with high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain. Prolonged tachycardia that appears after alcohol can lead to death. If the above symptoms appear, you should call a doctor.

Heart rhythm disturbances differ in the nature of their origin and are divided into physiological and pathological. If the pulse goes through the roof (more than 100 beats per minute) after playing sports, stress or drinking a lot of coffee, the arrhythmia is considered physiological.

With systematic drinking of alcohol, an increase in heart rate becomes pathological, often appearing even at night, during sleep. Arrhythmia after alcohol is considered a fairly common occurrence and is dangerous due to complications.

Tachycardia, as one of the types of arrhythmia, is characterized, in addition to increased pulse and chest pain, the appearance of a feeling of fear, fainting, strong pulsation of the cervical vessels, redness of the skin of the face and chest, and impaired coordination of movements. Often these signs are accompanied by manifestations of VSD: insomnia, neuroses, depression.

One of the most severe manifestations of the disease is atrial fibrillation, in which fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart causes chaotic contractions of its tissues, which leads to an increase in the rhythm to 300 beats or more. The pathological form of tachycardia is life-threatening and leads to oxygen starvation of organs and systems.

There are several factors that cause arrhythmia after alcohol, as well as during a hangover. These include:

• the process of intoxication of the body with acetaldehyde formed after the breakdown of ethyl alcohol;
• chaotic changes in the lumens of blood vessels due to the effects of alcohol;
• leaching of large amounts of microelements and vitamins from the body with urine due to the diuretic effect of alcohol-containing drinks;
• increased blood flow and increased blood pressure due to insufficient amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium;
• a psychosomatic factor caused by an emotional problem, which leads to spasm of the arteries and poor circulation.

If a person regularly abuses alcohol for 3-4 months, he will develop signs of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Against the background of a rapid pulse, chaotic contractions and dilations of blood vessels, oxygen starvation, small vessels rupture, causing hyperemia of individual areas of the epidermis.

Tachycardia and alcohol wear out the heart, forcing it to work at an accelerated rate. As a result, prerequisites are created for the development of heart attack, ischemia, and hemorrhagic stroke.

When you urgently need to call an ambulance after drinking alcohol

If the following symptoms appear the next day after drinking alcohol, you should immediately seek medical help:

• headache with nausea and vomiting;
• progressive weakness and dizziness;
• speech is slurred;
• weakness in the arm, leg on one side, distorted facial features;
• prolonged pain in the heart behind the sternum, radiating under the left shoulder blade or to the left shoulder;
• attacks of shortness of breath, interruptions in heart function.

Types and causes of rapid heartbeat

Tachycardia is conventionally divided into two types:

• Physiological. It occurs in response to external stimuli and is a normal reaction of the body. Causes: physical activity - jumping, cycling, swimming, running, stress, lack of oxygen, taking energy drinks, drinking ethanol.
• Pathological. Its occurrence indicates disturbances in the functioning of the heart and possible disease. It appears in a calm state, and even during night sleep. The cause of frequent contractions of the heart muscle may be heart disease, cardiosclerosis, atrial fibrillation and a number of other cardiac anomalies.

What to do before medical workers arrive to relieve pain in the heart area

Self-treatment is not recommended. You can temporarily alleviate the condition using these methods;

• tincture of motherwort or valerian, Barboval or Valocordin 25 - 30 drops;
• dissolve 2 - 3 validol tablets;
• if there are no stomach diseases, then take an aspirin tablet;
• You can rinse your forearms with cold water.

Other unpleasant consequences of drinking alcohol

There are no structures in the body that do not react to toxic ethanol and its metabolic products. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of alcoholism are diverse. The most typical pathologies:

• brain destruction, personality degradation;
• gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcerative lesions with transformation into tumor processes;
• pancreatic necrosis;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• polyneuropathy, paresis and paralysis of the limbs;
• sexual weakness;
• infertility.

Heart hurts after drinking: what to do

When your heart hurts after drinking, you need to:

• take measures to remove toxins more quickly - drink plenty of fluids, maybe mineral water with lemon juice, weak green tea;
• take an Aspirin tablet with water, and after 20 minutes take at least 8 tablets of activated carbon (they must first be completely crushed);
• exclude spicy, fatty and salty foods;
• give up coffee and smoking;
• stand under a moderately warm shower;
• take a leisurely walk in the fresh air.

Is it dangerous when your heart hurts from a hangover?

Regularly ignoring “hangover” heart pain and continuing to drink alcohol leads to irreversible processes in the body. A person alone is not able to determine the complexity of the entire disease in the presence of heart pain. Therefore, you should know the first signs due to which you need to contact a medical institution for a full diagnosis of the disease:

• sharp and unrelenting pain in the heart;
• frequent fainting;
• dizziness that is difficult to bear;
• difficulty breathing due to increasing pain;
• dyspnea;
• decrease or increase in blood pressure.

The manifestation of these symptoms with a constant fear of death is an excuse to call an emergency ambulance.

Prolonged heart pain from a hangover can be signs of more complex diseases:

Impaired blood supply to the myocardial muscle due to spasms of coronary vessels during a hangover is defined by traditional medicine as coronary heart disease or angina. Squeezing or squeezing pain in the chest are signs of such an illness.

1. Heart failure.

Insufficient receipt of nutrients by the myocardium during a hangover serves as a source of destabilization of cardiac muscle contraction. All human organs receive useful substances and oxygen in reduced quantities, which inhibits their functions. Heart failure manifests itself as sudden suffocation, often at night, accompanied by a change in facial skin color, cold sweat and severe shortness of breath.

Toxic substances formed after the breakdown of alcohol always cause arrhythmia of varying degrees. Ignoring its first signs leads to more complex diseases: atrial fibrillation, tachycardia.

1. Disorder of blood vessel tone.

The constant presence of alcohol breakdown products in the blood leads to a decrease in the metabolic process at the cellular level of blood vessels. Their function is impaired, and heart disease appears. Representatives of traditional medicine claim: a short-term change in the contraction and relaxation of the walls of the coronary vessels during a hangover is the main cause of tingling in the heart and minor discomfort in the chest.

In this case, it is necessary to take all measures to quickly remove toxins from the human body. The best and most affordable way is to take activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. This will help free the intestines from accumulated toxic substances.

Drinking plenty of fluids will not only relieve a hangover, but also soothe increased heart rate and pain, and restore fluid balance in the body. Green tea is effective in this case, helping to remove toxins. Adding mint and lemon will help replenish the body with vitamin C and eliminate nausea. Drinking cold tomato, orange juice, and homemade kvass gives good results. These drinks, rich in vitamins and acids, stimulate the functional activity of the heart and blood vessels.

To restore the acid and alkaline balance in the body, it is useful to drink cold dried fruit compote, rich in microelements, fructose, glucose, which improve metabolism at the cellular level and the absorption of carbohydrates.

If a hangover is accompanied by a dull and squeezing pain in the heart area, you can take a nitroglycerin tablet, placing it under the tongue, after moistening the oral cavity with clean water.

The Anaprilina tablet is an excellent solution for arrhythmia during a hangover.

Breathing exercises and a walk in the fresh air help improve heart function, activate blood circulation in all organs, normalize metabolic processes, and restore metabolic processes disturbed by heavy alcohol intake.

The recommendations of folk and traditional medicine coincide in the sense that it is undesirable to follow them if you have a hangover or a bad heart:

• do not perform heavy physical work or intense sports training;
• categorically do not take hot baths, cold or contrast showers, do not visit all types of baths, saunas, steam rooms;
• Do not get hung up even with beer, as this brings temporary relief and contributes to the further development of the hidden disease.

The appearance of heart pain from a hangover is the first call about the need to visit a doctor. Only a professional, based on a complete diagnosis, can prescribe the correct treatment. Abuse of drinks containing alcohol in case of heart disease causes irreparable harm to one's own health and sometimes leads to premature death.

Heart racing after drinking: what to do

If your heart is pounding after drinking, this will help:

• enterosorbent – ​​white or activated carbon, Atoxil;
• drinking tea with mint, lemon balm and honey;
• valerian extract tablets (no more than 2 pieces);
• hawthorn tincture – 25 drops per quarter glass of water.

Corvalol, Valocordin and most cardiac medications are incompatible with alcohol. Until the body is completely cleansed and signs of a hangover disappear, their use is prohibited.

Prevention

To avoid increased heart rate and increased blood pressure after drinking alcohol, experts advise following the following recommendations:

• You need to drink alcohol in a relaxed state. The person should not be too anxious or physically exhausted so as not to increase the load on the heart.
• It is necessary to drink alcohol after meals to reduce the degree of poisoning of the body and reduce damage to the gastric mucosa.
• It is necessary to drink alcohol slowly, so that the effect occurs smoothly and the heart can withstand the gradually increasing load.
• If you feel discomfort, it is advisable to stop drinking alcohol.

• It is better for hypertensive patients to abstain from alcohol. Occasionally it is allowed to drink it at a slow pace and in small doses.
• Tachycardia that occurs with a hangover should be a signal to go to the doctor to avoid its transition to more advanced forms.
• It is prohibited to independently use drugs with antiarrhythmic and hypotensive effects after drinking alcohol.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol for people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and metabolism. This increases the risk of complications and worsens the prognosis for recovery.

Tachycardia may occur after drinking alcohol. The reason for its development is the occurrence of vascular spasm and the negative effect of ethanol on the body.

A rapid heartbeat is often combined with high blood pressure, so you may need to resort to medication to alleviate the condition. It is advisable to entrust the selection of drugs to a doctor due to the high likelihood of developing severe side effects. If it is not possible to visit a hospital or call an ambulance, you must use approved methods to reduce your heart rate.

Heart problems after drinking alcohol the next day

After drinking alcohol the next day, the work of the heart is often disrupted: palpitations, arrhythmia, pain, pressure, and stabbing in the chest occur. To calm the heart rate and dilate blood vessels, you need to cleanse the body as quickly as possible; herbal preparations are allowed. If your heart is bad, and the condition only gets worse over the course of 2-3 hours, then you need to see a doctor to rule out a heart attack.

Heartbeat, heart beats

If a strong heartbeat appears and the patient feels the heart pounding, then it is necessary:

• drink pure water or with the addition of lemon, honey;
• take activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight;
• provide a flow of fresh air;
• exclude overexertion and physical activity until the condition stabilizes;
• Add 10 drops of hawthorn and mint tincture to a quarter glass of water; after 2 hours, the dose can be repeated.

Arrhythmia: what to do

After drinking alcohol, arrhythmia may occur (this is caused by a violation of the electrolyte (salt) composition of the blood, spasm of the coronary vessels), in such cases it is necessary:

• take measures to cleanse the body (water, activated carbon);
• prepare a solution from 1 liter of boiled water and a bag of Regidron or Ionic, take it in small portions (about a quarter glass) throughout the day;
• use Panangin or Asparkam tablets, hawthorn extract, take 1 tablet three times a day.

If an attack occurs with severe shortness of breath, pain in the heart, severe weakness, sweating, then self-medication is dangerous, you need to urgently call an ambulance.

Watch the video about arrhythmia, its symptoms and treatment:

How to calm your heart

To calm your heart after drinking alcohol, you need:

• give up fatty, spicy and salty foods;
• drink enough water and tea;
• take a sorbent based on activated carbon or Enterosgel;
• provide an influx of fresh air and perform breathing exercises - slows down the heart rate; smooth breathing with stretching of exhalation;
• use warm water for shower, and if the general condition is satisfactory, alternating temperatures (contrasting) will help.

If your heart hurts and it's hard to breathe

When your heart hurts and it becomes difficult to breathe after drinking alcohol, these are signs of poor circulation. In such cases it is necessary:

• call a doctor;
• lie down on high pillows (half-sitting position) or sit in a chair;
• ensure the supply of fresh air;
• relieve clothing pressure;
• take an Aspirin tablet;
• put Validol under your tongue.

Self-administration of medications can be harmful. Treatment in such cases is prescribed by a doctor.

Pressure in the chest and chest pain

If there is pain or pressure in the chest, or there is a feeling of constriction behind the sternum, then this condition may be a manifestation of an angina attack. It is caused by atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, and their spasm, provoked by alcohol, inhibits blood flow to the myocardium.

It is important to remember that nitrates (Nitroglycerin) are dangerous to combine with alcohol. Therefore, only Acetylsalicylic acid and Validol under the tongue are suitable for temporary relief. If after 15-20 minutes the pain does not go away, then you need to urgently call an ambulance, because this is how myocardial infarction begins.

Bad heart

Heart problems after alcohol become worse due to:

• changes in blood pressure;
• vascular spasm;
• dehydration;
• disturbances in blood composition, accumulation of ethanol metabolic products.

In order to restore the functioning of the heart muscle, it is necessary to remove toxic compounds as actively as possible. It is recommended to take enterosorbents (Atoxil, Sorbex, activated carbon) and liquids (water, orange juice, dried fruit decoction).

For heart pain, you can take tincture of valerian and hawthorn (10 drops each); if you have high blood pressure, then add motherwort to this mixture (5-10 drops).

Heart piercing

If your heart hurts after drinking alcohol, this is a sign of spasm of the arteries that supply the heart muscle. Similar sensations can also arise due to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Validol helps relieve stabbing pain. It is dissolved in tablets at intervals of 20-30 minutes.

Serious diseases resulting from the negative effects of alcohol on the heart

Among all the symptoms in which a person’s heart hurts from a hangover, arrhythmia is considered the most dangerous, since it has a direct connection with the heart and accurately indicates its unstable functioning. However, the heart hurts in different ways after alcohol, and depending on the nature of the pain, tentative conclusions can be drawn about the presence of a serious pathology in the body. For example, the most dangerous signs, along with anemia, are:

• Pain that occurs suddenly in the sternum and lasts a short period of time.
• Spontaneous fainting.
• Constant dizziness. If a person has severe heart pain in this condition, it is recommended to immediately go to the hospital for professional help. Otherwise, the patient may die within a few days.
• Attacks of shortness of breath that occur for no reason.
• Cloudiness of mind. Drinking alcohol causes hallucinations, a feeling of unreasonable fear, and panic in a person. This condition most often occurs in people with serious alcohol dependence.

Important! If a person with a hangover has a heartache and the above symptoms are observed, then he is advised to immediately contact an ambulance, since most likely the patient begins to develop a serious cardiac pathology.

Heart failure

The most common serious pathology that occurs in people who drink alcohol is considered to be heart failure. While drinking alcohol, the heart is gradually destroyed and ceases to cope with its natural purpose, as a result of which the rest of the human organs do not receive enough blood.

In addition to the fact that a patient with heart failure has a heart ache after drinking alcohol, he may also experience other symptoms characteristic of this pathology, namely:

• blue discoloration of some areas of the skin;
• severe shortness of breath (most often occurs at night or in the morning);
• formation of cold sweat on the forehead;
• the appearance of foamy sputum on the lips.

With such symptoms, many people have a question: “What can I take so that my heart stops hurting so much and the other symptoms subside somewhat?” And the answer to it is quite simple: if such symptoms are detected, you should immediately call an ambulance, since if you delay the treatment of heart failure, the pathology will very soon lead to death. However, it is strictly not recommended to take any medications without consulting a doctor, as they can cause serious complications.

If a person’s heart hurts after heavy drinking, but no other characteristic symptoms are observed, in such a situation the following must be done:

• Completely prohibit yourself from drinking any alcoholic beverages.
• Measure blood pressure and take the necessary medications aimed at narrowing or dilating blood vessels (if the pressure is low, then the vessels must be narrowed, and if high, they must be dilated).
• In the very near future, undergo an ECG and ultrasound of the heart to determine the cause of the pain.

Important! If the patient has a serious cardiac pathology, self-medication is not recommended under any circumstances. A course of therapy in such situations should be undertaken exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, otherwise the consequences of improper treatment can be irreversible, even death.

Heart hurts after beer

Heart pain after beer is associated with the fact that a large volume of the drink is usually consumed. This doubles the workload on the heart as it has to cope with alcohol, which weakens contractions, and the increased amount of fluid. At the same time, the drink is often accompanied by salty foods that retain water in the body. It is also important that when consumed regularly, beer promotes fat deposition and increased body weight.

To get rid of beer heart syndrome, you need to completely give up alcohol and undergo examination by a cardiologist. A course of medication may be required.

conclusions

The first signs of the toxic effects of alcohol on the human body are a hangover with nausea and pain in the heart, dizziness and weakness. The general deterioration of the condition lasts from several hours to a couple of days, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed. Of particular danger are severe stabbing or pressing pain in the heart. If such complaints occur, consult a doctor for treatment, as this indicates cardiac pathology. And in order to find out how alcohol affects blood pressure and its indicators, watch the video on our channel at the link below.

Binge and heart

If even a single consumption of large amounts of alcohol harms the heart, then in chronic alcoholics it works with rhythm disturbances, and the strength of contractions decreases. Restorative treatment with drugs can help the heart, but only after completely abstaining from alcohol. Medicines and alcohol are incompatible!

How to help your heart after heavy drinking

In order to help the heart function after heavy drinking, detoxification therapy is necessary - removing toxic products of ethanol metabolism from the body. It is performed in a hospital setting and requires the administration of intravenous solutions.

Home treatment will be much less effective - use sorbents (White carbon, activated, Polyphepan, Polysorb), drink plenty of mineral water. Salty, fatty and spicy foods, smoking, caffeinated drinks, and any alcohol-containing drinks are prohibited.

How to support your heart after alcohol

Drugs that improve metabolic processes in the myocardium help maintain heart function after quitting alcohol. The choice of medication always remains with the cardiologist, since the consequences of drinking alcohol are different for everyone. Vitamins of group B (Neurobion, Milgamma), Panangin, ATP-long, Trimetazidine are used.

It is recommended to quit smoking, follow a diet rich in fish, vegetables, nuts, and moderate and regular physical activity.

How to restore your heart after alcohol

To restore the heart after drinking alcohol, the following are prescribed:

• proper nutrition - foods with potassium, magnesium, protein and vitamins are useful: dried apricots, honey, nuts, legumes, whole grain cereals, fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, fish, cottage cheese, lean meat;
• giving up smoking, strong coffee and tea, energy drinks;
• cleansing the body - droppers with solutions, intravenous injections, taking enterosorbents;
• administration of drugs to improve metabolism in the heart muscle - Mexicor, Mildronate;
• taking Preductal, Kratal, Riboxin;
• drugs that normalize blood pressure, nitrates, antiarrhythmics, diuretics (according to indications).

We recommend reading about pain during myocardial infarction. You will learn about the causes of MI, the typical and atypical course of MI, clinical forms, the difference between pain during myocardial infarction and pain during angina, and emergency measures. And here is more information about whether Nitroglycerin can cause death.

Help with tachycardia and cardiopathy

When heart rate is high, it is important to ventilate the room in which the person is located. If tachycardia occurs after drinking alcohol, you should not drink alcohol anymore.

When heart rate is less than 100 beats/min. It is recommended to lie down, relax, and restore your breathing. If your heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute after drinking an alcoholic drink, the following steps are recommended to calm your heart and eliminate a high pulse:

If tachycardia occurs after drinking alcohol, you should not drink alcohol anymore. When heart rate is less than 100 beats/min. It is recommended to lie down, relax, and restore your breathing. If your heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute after drinking an alcoholic drink, the following steps are recommended to calm your heart and eliminate a high pulse:

• Go out into the fresh air or ventilate the room well.
• Go for a short walk at a moderate pace. You can just walk around the apartment. Then lie down so that your feet are higher than your head.
• Wash your face several times with cold water.
• Stop breathing for 10–15 seconds and repeat this exercise every minute for 10 minutes.

You should remember what not to do if your heart beats fast:

• continue drinking alcohol;
• move actively;
• take a hot bath or steam in a sauna;
• consume caffeine, fried, fatty, spicy foods.

After drinking alcoholic beverages, the myocardium's need for oxygen increases. Therefore, a repolarizing mixture is injected into the patient’s vein. It includes:

• glucose;
• magnesium;
• insulin;
• potassium.

The polarizing mixture can be replaced by Ringer-Locke solution.

As a result of drinking alcoholic beverages, the condition of the cardiovascular system worsens. Therefore, giving up alcohol is the first condition in the presence of heart pathologies.

The effect of ethanol on the heart is as follows:

• heart rate increases;
• signs of arrhythmia occur.

These processes disrupt blood circulation, causing all organs and tissues to suffer. Large doses of alcohol contribute to the narrowing of peripheral blood vessels. The tissues of the limbs suffer from insufficient oxygen supply. Therefore, if a person is suffering from alcoholism, this can be easily noticed by the blueness of the hands and toes.

Due to oxygen starvation, a number of pathological processes develop in the body. This especially affects the heart and brain.

As a result of systematic alcohol consumption, irreversible changes occur in the heart.

If tachycardia is observed with a hangover or while drinking alcohol, this indicates the beginning of the formation of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. With regular attacks, the original rhythm is disrupted, and it is quite difficult to restore it.

Prevention of heart pain and high blood pressure during heavy drinking

In order to stop the destruction of the body, you need to stop drinking alcohol and, if necessary, undergo treatment for alcoholism. Medications are not prescribed in combination with alcoholic beverages. After withdrawal from binge drinking, therapy is prescribed to improve metabolic processes in the heart muscle, restore liver function, and reduce the vasoconstrictive effect of stress hormones.

It is recommended to eat a diet with a high content of low-fat protein products and reduce the consumption of salt and animal fat. Dosed physical activity has a good training effect. At the initial stage of heart damage, the prognosis is favorable.

Thus, it is possible to prevent damage to the heart and blood vessels after drinking alcohol only if you completely abstain from alcoholic beverages. Early stages of alcoholic cardiomyopathy and hypertension are reversible.

For what diseases should you not drink it?

It is obvious that drinking beer with already identified cardiovascular diseases is fraught with a deterioration in the condition, an abrupt increase in blood pressure, the progression of existing diseases and the development of new ones.

1. Arrhythmia. Thus, with arrhythmia, drinking beer, in addition to placing a critical load on the heart muscle, contributes to a deterioration in the functioning of the central nervous system, causing fainting, dizziness, and impaired lung function.
2. Angina pectoris. Consumption of beer during angina pectoris is dangerous for attacks and progression of the disease, since liver dysfunction due to alcohol intoxication prevents the removal of cholesterol plaques and contributes to the development of the disease that is the root cause of angina pectoris, that is, vascular atherosclerosis, which occurs due to the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels.
3. Ischemia. With coronary artery disease, beer consumption greatly increases the risk of heart attacks, heart attacks and strokes.

Drinking alcohol in the presence of identified diseases of the cardiovascular system nullifies efforts to treat them. In addition, combining medications with alcohol is not allowed, since together they can lead to unforeseen consequences, for example, collapse when combining alcohol with medications designed to normalize blood pressure and vascular activity.

See also:

• How coffee affects the cardiovascular system: a review of studies.
• 9 fruits and vegetables our hearts need.