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Original poster

Thumping heart after alcohol

18 replies

AllyJames12 · 09/12/2024 11:33

Does anyone else get this with drinking wine? I met a friend for lunch yesterday, we shared a bottle of wine, then had another glass or 2 in a bar after (please don't judge!). This finished around 5/6pm.

I got into bed at 10pm, but couldn't sleep as I had the worst heart thumping I've ever experienced! It went on for 1.5hrs. I measured my heart rate which was between 85-110, but mainly at the 95bpm mark (usually it's 73bpm) but it was the pounding that got me it felt like my heart trying to escape from my chest! It eventually passed.

A year ago I noticed pounding after drinking alcohol. GP did ECG BP, holder monitoring etc, no issues found and was told it was the alcohol and age (I'm 41 now).

Should I be worried? The pounding was worse this time but I did drink a lot and didn't drink much water all day

OP posts:
PiggieWig · 09/12/2024 11:35

Do you get anxious after drinking? Sounds like the booze was leaving your system when the heart thumping kicked in, which is often when the anxiety kicks in too.

Cheerfulcharlie · 09/12/2024 11:36

I get this when drinking most wines these days but not New Zealand Sav Blanc! Makes me think it's not the alcohol but something else in some of the wines. South African and South American wines are particularly bad for me. I also don't get it when I drink gin.

Original poster
AllyJames12 · 09/12/2024 11:41

@PiggieWig yes I definitely felt anxious at this stage but I think that may be because my heart was thumping!

@Cheerfulcharlie That's interesting you say that because I normally always drink New Zealand Sauv blanc too! While I do get a racing heart if I drink too much, it's no where near as bad as last night. Interestingly we had a cheap house wine yesterday, definitely not a Sauv blanc so it could be that, I never thought about that...

OP posts:
TeaAndStrumpets · 09/12/2024 11:48

Sorry to say I had to give up alcohol altogether in my 40s. I had already started developing all sorts of allergies and chemical sensitivities. Even half a glass of wine would give me symptoms similar to food poisoning and scary racing heart. After a few horrific nights I decided no more alcohol. Sadly coffee has a similar effect.

Original poster
AllyJames12 · 09/12/2024 15:58

I will keep an eye on it, but will try to stick to the wines I know and also drinking more water on a night out, someone I said the dehydration could have added to it..

OP posts:
ChipsnGraveee · 09/12/2024 16:00

I get this a bit after drinking fruit ciders, Koppaburg etc. Not with anything else.

SharpOpalNewt · 09/12/2024 16:00

I get that sometimes, I think it's my body working hard to process it all and a sign I've overdone it. Caffeine and food can do it too.

Angelofmycoins · 09/12/2024 16:08

Are you on any other meds?

Musicaltheatremum · 09/12/2024 16:14

I'm 61. I have had to cut down as I get this now. Sleep so much better without it.

SallyWD · 09/12/2024 16:15

I get this if I've had wine and a big meal. I wake up throughout the night with my heart absolutely pounding. It's quite alarming.

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2024 16:16

Its one of the reasons I rarely drink now and even when I do its 2 max.
If I have 3 or more I wake up in the night feeling really panicky and my heart rate is really high even though I am completely safe and haven't done anything to be embarrased about.
I also get hot flushes from alcohol since I turned about 40

Ineedanewsofa · 09/12/2024 16:21

Yep, I get this too, usually with white wine that is on the cheaper side (although not always!) Prosecco affects me the worst and therefore I’ve stopped drinking it entirely. Champagne doesn’t seem to but I’m not a lotto winner so not really sustainable as my drink of choice 🤣
Pale blush rose is safest, although some are clearly white wine is disguise judging by the reaction my body has…

Original poster
AllyJames12 · 10/12/2024 08:21

@Angelofmycoins no, not on any meds

Thanks all. I definitely notice this more with prosecco and cheap white wine. It's scary, particularly the pounding. My heart always feels like it's beating a million miles an hour but when taking my pulse, it's rarely above 110 (although I know that's too fast)...

OP posts:
Wurlywurly · 10/12/2024 08:26

Yes I get this. I suspect age has a lot to do with it. I never have more than a glass now.

BigDahliaFan · 10/12/2024 08:29

I get it after a big meal. It's quite alarming.

Timeforaglassofwine · 10/12/2024 08:37

Since my 40s I find with alcohol now that if I have too much I can't sleep. My dh gets horrible migraines after a couple of glasses of the wrong sort of wine. My dad says it sends his heart racing. My 90 yo grandmother though never has a problem!
Age, general fitness, time of the month or time of the menopause, and just luck of the draw all affect how our bodies cope with a binge of alcohol. (I was shocked to learn that a binge is described as a couple of glasses).

Wurlywurly · 10/12/2024 12:54

BigDahliaFan · 10/12/2024 08:29

I get it after a big meal. It's quite alarming.

I get this too. Especially if it's carby.

FionaSkates · 10/12/2024 14:36

It’s just too much for your body to handle. Maybe stop when the bottle is done next time; you can still have a great time out with your friends! X

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