Jim V.
It’s not unusual to feel chest pain after drinking alcohol, especially after a night of heavy drinking. However, you should take any alcohol-related chest pain seriously, especially as chest or rib pain can indicate underlying medical conditions. Whether it’s tight chest after drinking alcohol or stabbing pain in the chest after drinking, understanding the potential causes is crucial.
If you experience alcohol-related chest pain, don’t ignore it. You may like to try taking an antacid, which can ease symptoms if the pain is caused by acid reflux. However, if taking an antacid has no effect or you consistently experience chest pain, seek medical advice. Correctly diagnosing chest pain is important and can, in some cases, be life-saving.
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People who experience chest pain after drinking alcohol often assume that it originates in the heart. Sometimes it does—you may have heard of holiday heart syndrome, a non-medical term for the irregular heartbeat, breathlessness, or chest pain that some people experience after drinking alcohol. However, mild or severe chest pain has a range of possible causes, not all involving the heart, ranging from acid reflux to anxiety or cardiomyopathy.
Chest pain after drinking alcohol may be a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption, or it may signify the exacerbation of a pre-existing condition. Below are some potential causes of chest pain after alcohol consumption:
Tightness in the chest after drinking alcohol is commonly caused by blood pressure. Drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure, leading to a variety of symptoms, including an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest pain. These symptoms are usually most intense during the hangover period, which is why people often report chest pain the day after drinking.
Long-term, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to sustained high blood pressure, a major risk factor for a heart attack. High blood pressure can also result from obesity caused by calorie intake from alcohol.
Alcohol consumption can cause your heart to expand and weaken, putting pressure on the surrounding blood vessels. This can lead to a disease of the heart muscle known as alcohol cardiomyopathy. In severe cases, the heart becomes too weak to pump blood efficiently, increasing the risk of fluid retention and chest pain. Over time, fluid retention this may lead to hear failure. and fluid accumulates in parts of the body, which can result in heart failure.
There are various causes of cardiomyopathy and not all of them are alcohol-related.
Cardiomyopathy symptoms include:
Chronic heavy drinkers are at higher risk of developing this condition.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that works by slowing down activity in your brain. When you’re under the influence of alcohol, you may feel more relaxed and lack inhibitions.
However, the next day you may experience a rebound effect of heightened anxiety that can last for several hours. Alcohol can lead to heightened anxiety during the hangover period, causing panic attacks or anxiety-induced chest pain. Some individuals report a tight chest after drinking alcohol, which can mimic heart attack symptoms.
Panic attack symptoms include:
Alcohol can aggravate acid reflux disease, also known as GERD, which occurs when acid from your stomach flows back into your esophagus (the tube between your mouth and your stomach). While most people experience acid reflux occasionally, people suffering from GERD have at least one moderate to severe acid reflux attack each week (or at least two mild attacks).
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of GERD.
Common GERD symptoms:
Those with persistent GERD may notice sore ribs after drinking alcohol.
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The liver and pancreas play significant roles in the metabolization of alcohol. However, since alcohol is a toxin, it can damage these organs in the process.
Excessive drinking can inflame the pancreas, leading to pain under the ribs or right rib pain after drinking alcohol.
This condition often manifests as:
The interaction between alcohol and some medications or other drugs can lead to chest pain after drinking. Smoking is a lung irritant that can cause chest pain even when not drinking alcohol. Combining it with alcohol can lead to high blood pressure and exacerbate acid reflux disease.
Mixing alcohol with cocaine also strains your cardiovascular system. Taking the two substances together leads to the creation of a new metabolite called cocaethylene, which increases heart toxicity, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Mixing alcohol with stimulants can increase the risk of:
Yes, excessive alcohol consumption can cause a heart attack.
Heavy and long-term alcohol use can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and heart attack. Alcohol can damage the heart muscle and increase blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack. It can also contribute to the development of other risk factors for heart attack, such as obesity and high cholesterol. It is important to drink alcohol in moderation to reduce the risk of developing these cardiovascular illnesses and other health problems.
For most people in the United States, alcohol consumption is never good for the heart.
For completely healthy and active people, consuming 1-2 alcoholic beverages per day may be associated with certain cardiovascular benefits, but these benefits are overstated in popular narratives and are greatly overshadowed by the severe cardiovascular illness that alcohol abuse contributes to across the world.
These benefits only apply to low levels of alcohol consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate drinking as consuming two beverages a day or less for men and one a day or less for women. If you experience chest pain after drinking alcohol, you are likely to be drinking much more than the recommended limits.
Even if alcohol is beneficial at low levels, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for 5.3% of all global deaths each year. Many doctors would never recommend any level of drinking for health reasons.
If you experience alcohol-related chest pain, don’t ignore it. You may like to try taking an antacid, which can ease symptoms if the pain is caused by acid reflux. However, if this has no effect or you consistently experience chest pain, seek medical advice. Correctly diagnosing chest pain is important and can, in some cases, be life-saving.
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Alcohol can lead to a sustained increase in blood pressure, a significant risk factor for a heart attack. If any of the following major symptoms persist for more than fifteen minutes, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Major symptoms of heart attacks include:
Other symptoms include:
The simplest way to prevent alcohol chest pain is to stop drinking or reduce the amount you are drinking. Most people who have experienced chest pain after drinking alcohol are drinking more than the recommended level or have a history of alcohol abuse. In these cases, reducing your drinking can lead to a wide variety of health benefits and prevent chest pain.
Some people may experience chest pain even after drinking small amounts of alcohol. If you are prone to feeling anxious, even a couple of drinks can lead to anxiety-induced chest pain. You may like to stop drinking for a while until your anxiety improves or seek treatment for anxiety disorder.
If your pain is caused by acid reflux, you may be able to treat the pain with over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
Remember that alcohol chest pain can be a sign of severe health problems, and you should seek medical advice if you frequently experience it.
To reduce the risk of alcohol-induced chest pain:
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It isn’t safe for people who have developed an alcohol use disorder to quit drinking alone. Going cold turkey can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms known as delirium tremens (DTs). In addition, long-term abstinence can be incredibly difficult to sustain without proper treatment.
The good news is that there are many evidence-based treatments out there to help people recover from alcohol addiction and abuse.
Struggling with alcohol dependency can deeply impact your physical and mental well-being. At Cornerstone of Southern California, our Alcohol Detox Program provides a safe, medically supervised environment to manage withdrawal symptoms and lay the foundation for recovery. Guided by expert professionals, our program combines compassionate care with evidence-based approaches to help you reduce alcohol use safely and transition seamlessly into further treatment.
From personalized therapy and group programming to ongoing support through recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), our detox program addresses the root causes of addiction and empowers you to achieve lasting sobriety.
Learn more about the Alcohol Detox Program: Alcohol Detox at Cornerstone of Southern California
The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at Cornerstone of Southern California provides a structured, intensive treatment option for individuals seeking recovery without the need for inpatient care. Designed for those transitioning from residential rehab or requiring significant support, our PHP combines evidence-based therapies with a flexible schedule to support your healing and long-term sobriety goals.
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The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Cornerstone of Southern California is tailored for individuals balancing recovery with work, school, or family obligations. Offering a comprehensive approach, our IOP includes individual counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention strategies. This program is ideal for those stepping down from higher levels of care or seeking structured support for maintaining their sobriety.
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