Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol
Many people enjoy an alcoholic drink now and again, but when alcohol is drunk frequently and without moderation, it can result in alcohol use disorder. When this happens, the individual becomes addicted to the substance. Excessive use of alcohol can result in several health risks. Here, Avenues Recovery, a premier addiction specialist, explores chest pain after drinking alcohol. We will examine its causes, how it can be prevented, and the options available to individuals experiencing alcohol chest pain.
Causes of Chest Discomfort After Drinking Alcohol
If your chest hurts after drinking alcohol, there are several potential reasons for this. Chest pain can occur during a sustained period of alcohol abuse, or after a night of heavy drinking - which is commonly known as hangover chest pain.
Let’s take a look at each possible cause of alcohol chest pain:
Esophageal Issues
Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). When alcohol causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus is enabled. A burning sensation in the chest after drinking characterizes GERD and can cause chest pain. Chronic alcohol use can also lead to inflammation of the esophagus, known as esophagitis, which can cause chest discomfort or pain.
Does Alcohol Cause Heartburn?
As mentioned, alcohol consumption can sometimes cause GERD. One of the most common symptoms of GERD is heartburn, therefore, consuming alcohol can cause heartburn.
Muscle Pain
Heavy drinking can lead to alcoholic myopathy, a condition that causes loss of function and strength in the skeletal muscles, leading to poor coordination and accidents. This, in turn, can cause a person to become less active and engage in less physical activity. Lack of physical activity can contribute to conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all of which can increase the risk of heart problems. In addition, high blood pressure can also be caused by weight gain from the calories in alcohol. This unhealthy lifestyle can result in muscle strains, including alcohol and chest pain.
Alcohol-Induced Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Some people may experience anxiety or panic attacks after drinking alcohol. This can manifest as chest pains and shortness of breath after alcohol (due to increased stress and heart rate), a racing heartbeat, or feeling faint, dizzy, lightheaded, or sick. This is more likely to occur in individuals who already suffer from anxiety, as alcohol can worsen their condition. Anxiety and alcohol can work in a vicious cycle - first, an individual drinks alcohol, and they initially feel calm as the alcohol affects the brain. (Alcohol is a CNS depressant that slows vital bodily functions and gives users a relaxed feeling.) Next, the user begins feeling anxious as alcohol withdrawal kicks in and may turn back to alcohol as an attempt to relieve their anxiety.
Heart-Related Issues
Some people experience heart pain after drinking. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and lead to a drop in blood pressure, which can affect blood flow to the heart. This can cause chest pain (alcohol-induced angina), especially in those with pre-existing heart conditions. Alcohol can also disrupt the electrical signals in the heart, which help the heart to beat in a regular, coordinated rhythm. This disruption leads to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), where the heart beats too quickly or too slowly, which can cause chest pain. These irregular rhythms can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications. In some instances, arrhythmias can be fatal and result in sudden death.
How to Stop Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol
There are several steps a person can take to ensure that they consume alcohol healthily and don’t experience pain in the chest after alcohol consumption. First and foremost, be sure to drink in moderation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) explains that a moderate amount of alcohol is 2 drinks or less per day for men and 1 drink or less per day for women. (One alcoholic drink is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol).
If you experience a tight chest after drinking alcohol, remedies include staying hydrated while consuming alcohol. Dehydration can magnify the effects of alcohol, potentially contributing to chest discomfort. Other remedies for a tight chest after drinking include eating before drinking alcohol. This can also help to slow the absorption of alcohol in one’s system, which can reduce the intensity of any potential side effects, including chest pain. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can also help if your chest hurts after drinking and reduce the risk of alcohol-related health issues.
When to Seek Help For Chest Pain
Chest pain after drinking alcohol can be a sign of a more serious underlying issue, and it should never be ignored. If you experience a tight chest after drinking alcohol, you should seek medical attention, especially if it's severe or persistent.
When it comes to treating alcohol addiction, there are many options available, including one-on-one therapy and group therapy in both an inpatient and an outpatient setting. Which treatment option is best suited to an individual will likely depend on the severity of the side effects they are experiencing from alcohol, as well as how long they have been abusing it, the amount of alcohol they consume, and the frequency with which they consume it.
Alcohol Damage to The Heart
In addition to what we’ve already mentioned about heart pain after drinking, there are many other ways that alcohol can cause damage to the heart. These include:
- Cardiomyopathy: Chronic, heavy alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle weakens, and can no longer pump blood as effectively. Severe cardiomyopathy can result in heart failure. Signs of alcoholic cardiomyopathy include fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain.
- Blocked Arteries: Chronic alcohol use can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart, which causes chest pain and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Heart Attack: Binge drinking or heavy alcohol consumption can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can block blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack. As opposed to mild discomfort, heart attacks are usually characterized by severe chest pain. During a heart attack, the pain will often spread to the arms, jaw, or back, and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, and/or nausea.
- Enlarged Heart: Long-term, heavy alcohol consumption can lead to an enlarged heart, decreasing its efficiency in pumping blood and increasing the risk of heart failure.
- Inflammation and Fibrosis: Alcohol abuse can lead to inflammation and scarring in the liver, affecting its function over time.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Alcohol abuse can lead to nutritional deficiencies, as it becomes harder for the body to absorb and store vitamin B1 (thiamine). Thiamine processes the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates we ingest, converting them into energy to support the functions of the heart, nerves, and brain. Thiamine deficiency can result in a condition called beriberi, which may lead to heart problems.
Avoiding Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol
Individuals do not have to hit rock bottom before going for treatment; it is better to treat alcohol addiction and prevent it from reaching the painful issue of alcohol chest pain. Avenues Recovery helps individuals safely withdraw from alcohol and provides cutting-edge residential treatment services - addressing the underlying factors that led to the addiction in the first place. We have helped thousands of people free themselves from the manacles of addiction, and we can help you too. If you are struggling with alcohol use disorder or have a loved one who is, don’t hesitate to contact us at Avenues Recovery. Our expert and highly qualified staff will provide you with both the medical and therapeutic help you need to be able to live a life free from addiction; a life you deserve.