Alcohol can affect nearly every system in the body, including the cardiovascular system. While many people associate alcohol use with liver damage, alcohol can also place direct strain on the heart, blood vessels, blood pressure, and heart rhythm. Over time, heavy or repeated drinking may increase the risk of high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that alcohol misuse can contribute to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, increased heart rate, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy.
For someone struggling with alcohol use disorder, these risks are not just long-term concerns. Alcohol can affect the heart while a person is drinking, during a hangover, and even during withdrawal. Understanding these effects can help people recognize when alcohol use has become a medical concern and why professional support may be necessary.
Heart Issues Caused or Contributed To by Alcohol
| Heart Issue Alcohol Can Create or Contribute To | Severity | How Alcohol Plays a Role | People Most at Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | Moderate to severe | Alcohol can raise blood pressure and place extra strain on the heart and arteries. Over time, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. | People who drink heavily or frequently, people with existing hypertension, older adults, people with obesity, people with high stress, and those with a family history of heart disease. |
| Rapid Heart Rate | Mild to severe | Alcohol can stimulate the nervous system, disrupt sleep, contribute to dehydration, and increase heart rate. A racing heart may occur while drinking, during a hangover, or during withdrawal. | People who binge drink, people with anxiety, dehydration, poor sleep, stimulant use, high blood pressure, or alcohol dependence. |
| Heart Palpitations | Mild to severe | Alcohol can trigger fluttering, pounding, skipped beats, or irregular heartbeat sensations. Repeated palpitations after drinking may signal that alcohol is affecting heart rhythm. | People who binge drink, people sensitive to alcohol, people with arrhythmia history, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anxiety, or heavy daily alcohol use. |
| Atrial Fibrillation / Irregular Heart Rhythm | Severe | Heavy alcohol use and binge drinking can trigger irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation, sometimes referred to as “holiday heart syndrome.” AFib can increase the risk of stroke and other complications. | People who binge drink, older adults, people with high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, existing heart disease, or repeated alcohol-related palpitations. |
| Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy | Severe to life-threatening | Long-term heavy alcohol use can weaken and enlarge the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. This can progress to heart failure. | People with years of heavy drinking, alcohol use disorder, poor nutrition, liver disease, family history of heart disease, or untreated high blood pressure. |
| Heart Failure | Severe to life-threatening | Alcohol can contribute to heart failure indirectly through high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and long-term strain on the cardiovascular system. | People with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, existing heart disease, long-term heavy alcohol use, older adults, and people with uncontrolled blood pressure. |
| Heart Attack Risk | Severe to life-threatening | Alcohol can contribute to cardiovascular risk by raising blood pressure, increasing triglycerides, triggering arrhythmias, and worsening other risk factors that strain the heart. | People with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history, obesity, family history of heart disease, or heavy alcohol use. |
| Stroke Risk | Severe to life-threatening | Alcohol can increase stroke risk through high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, blood vessel damage, and elevated triglycerides. AFib related to alcohol use may also increase clot-related stroke risk. | People with high blood pressure, AFib, older adults, people who binge drink, smokers, people with diabetes, and those with prior stroke or cardiovascular disease. |
| Alcohol Withdrawal-Related Cardiac Strain | Severe to life-threatening | When someone who is dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking, withdrawal can cause rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, sweating, tremors, anxiety, seizures, and delirium tremens. | People who drink daily, drink heavily, have a history of withdrawal symptoms, seizures, high blood pressure, heart disease, or multiple prior detox attempts. |
| Sudden Cardiac Complications During Heavy Drinking or Withdrawal | Potentially life-threatening | Extreme intoxication, severe withdrawal, dehydration, electrolyte changes, and arrhythmias can create dangerous stress on the heart. | People with alcohol dependence, binge drinking patterns, untreated medical conditions, older adults, and people combining alcohol with other substances or medications. |
Alcohol and Blood Pressure
One of the clearest ways alcohol affects the heart is by increasing blood pressure. Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. When blood pressure remains high over time, the heart has to work harder to move blood through the body.
Excessive alcohol use is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol can raise blood pressure through several pathways, including increased nervous system activity, inflammation, changes in hormones that regulate fluid balance, poor sleep, weight gain, and stress on the blood vessels.
High blood pressure does not always cause obvious symptoms. A person may feel relatively normal while their cardiovascular system is under strain. Over time, untreated hypertension can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.
Alcohol and Heart Rate
Alcohol can also increase heart rate. Some people notice that their heart beats faster after drinking, during a hangover, or when they are trying to cut back. This can happen because alcohol affects the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
A temporary increase in heart rate may not always mean a person is having a medical emergency, but it can be a warning sign. When alcohol repeatedly pushes the heart to work harder, especially in people who already have high blood pressure, anxiety, dehydration, poor sleep, or other health concerns, the strain can become more serious.
Alcohol and Irregular Heartbeat
Alcohol can trigger irregular heart rhythms, also called arrhythmias. One of the most commonly discussed alcohol-related arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation, or AFib. AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, which can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, or chest discomfort.
Binge drinking has long been associated with “holiday heart syndrome,” a term often used to describe alcohol-triggered atrial fibrillation after episodes of heavy drinking. StatPearls describes holiday heart syndrome as atrial fibrillation induced by binge alcohol consumption, often seen around long weekends, vacations, and holidays.
AFib matters because it can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Not every flutter, skipped beat, or racing heart is AFib, but new or worsening palpitations should be taken seriously, especially if they occur with chest pain, fainting, weakness, confusion, or trouble breathing.
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: When Alcohol Weakens the Heart
Long-term heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle. This condition is often called alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy or alcohol-associated cardiomyopathy. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes stretched, enlarged, or weakened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
NIAAA explains that long-term heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle and cause cardiomyopathy. Cleveland Clinic also describes alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy as heart damage caused by long-term heavy alcohol use, where the heart stretches and enlarges, weakening its ability to pump blood.
Symptoms of alcohol-related cardiomyopathy may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness or fainting
- Trouble lying flat due to breathing difficulty
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy can progress to heart failure. In some cases, stopping alcohol use may help improve heart function, especially when the condition is caught early. However, some people may need medications, cardiology care, or ongoing medical treatment.
Alcohol, Heart Attack, and Stroke Risk
Alcohol can also contribute to cardiovascular disease by increasing blood pressure, raising triglycerides, worsening inflammation, and placing stress on blood vessels. The CDC notes that drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase stroke risk, partly by increasing triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood that can contribute to hardening of the arteries.
Alcohol can also affect judgment and health behaviors. People who drink heavily may be more likely to smoke, miss medications, eat poorly, sleep poorly, or delay medical care. These factors can compound cardiovascular risk over time.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Can Affect the Heart
For people who are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal can cause the nervous system to become overactive, which may lead to elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, tremors, sweating, anxiety, agitation, and, in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens.
A review on alcohol withdrawal syndrome lists tachycardia and elevated blood pressure among possible withdrawal symptoms. StatPearls also describes alcohol withdrawal as a potentially serious syndrome that can occur when people stop or significantly reduce alcohol after long-term dependence.
This is one reason medical detox can be important. A person may want to stop drinking, but their body may not be able to safely adjust without clinical monitoring and medication support. Alcohol withdrawal can become a medical emergency, especially for people with a history of seizures, delirium tremens, heavy daily drinking, heart disease, high blood pressure, or multiple prior detox attempts.
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Good for the Heart?
For years, some people believed moderate drinking might protect the heart. Current evidence is more cautious. The American Heart Association published a 2025 scientific statement noting that alcohol’s relationship with cardiovascular disease is complex and that even low levels of drinking may carry risk depending on the individual, drinking pattern, and health condition.
The safest advice is not to start drinking for heart health. People with high blood pressure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, certain mental health conditions, or a history of alcohol use disorder should speak with a qualified medical professional about alcohol use and personal risk.
When to Seek Medical Help
Alcohol-related heart symptoms should not be ignored. Seek emergency medical attention if alcohol use or withdrawal is accompanied by:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Fainting or severe weakness
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Severe agitation
- A very fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Symptoms of stroke, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or trouble speaking
Someone does not have to wait until alcohol causes a heart emergency to get help. If drinking is affecting blood pressure, sleep, anxiety, relationships, work, physical health, or the ability to stop safely, treatment may be appropriate.
Alcohol Treatment and Heart Health
Reducing or stopping alcohol use can be an important step toward protecting the heart. For some people, this may mean cutting back with medical guidance. For others, especially those with alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or repeated relapse, professional treatment may be the safest path.
At Brooks Healing Center, we help individuals address alcohol use disorder with compassionate, structured care, including medication-assisted treatment for alcohol. Treatment is not only about stopping drinking. It is about stabilizing the body, understanding the patterns behind alcohol use, building relapse-prevention skills, and creating a healthier life in recovery.
If alcohol is affecting your health, heart, family, or future, support is available. Brooks Healing Center provides alcohol addiction treatment in Tennessee for people who are ready to take the next step toward recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cardiovascular Impact of Alcohol
Does alcohol raise heart rate?
Yes. Alcohol can increase heart rate by affecting the nervous system, hydration levels, blood pressure, and sleep quality. Some people experience a racing heartbeat while drinking, while others notice it during a hangover or after they stop drinking. Frequent episodes of elevated heart rate after alcohol use may indicate that drinking is placing stress on the cardiovascular system.
Can alcohol cause heart palpitations?
Yes. Alcohol can trigger heart palpitations, skipped beats, fluttering sensations, or a pounding heartbeat. Heavy drinking and binge drinking are particularly associated with irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation. If heart palpitations occur regularly after drinking, it is important to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional.
How do you stop heart palpitations from alcohol?
Stopping alcohol use, staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine may help mild symptoms. However, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe dizziness, or persistent irregular heartbeat should be treated as a medical emergency. Recurrent alcohol-related palpitations may be a sign that alcohol is affecting your cardiovascular health.
Why does alcohol make my heart race?
Alcohol can stimulate the nervous system, disrupt normal heart rhythm, increase blood pressure, contribute to dehydration, and interfere with sleep. These effects can cause the heart to beat faster than normal. In some cases, a racing heart may also occur during alcohol withdrawal.
Can alcohol cause serious heart problems?
Yes. Long-term alcohol misuse has been linked to high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk generally increases with heavier and more frequent alcohol consumption.
Can alcohol withdrawal cause heart palpitations?
Yes. Alcohol withdrawal can cause rapid heart rate, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, sweating, and tremors. These symptoms occur because the nervous system becomes overactive when alcohol is suddenly removed. In severe cases, withdrawal can become life-threatening without medical supervision.
Can alcohol withdrawal cause a heart attack?
Alcohol withdrawal places significant stress on the body and cardiovascular system. While withdrawal itself does not automatically cause a heart attack, severe withdrawal can increase cardiovascular strain and may be especially dangerous for individuals with underlying heart disease or other medical conditions. Anyone experiencing chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or symptoms of a heart attack should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Sources
- tional Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2025). Alcohol’s effects on the body. National Institutes of Health. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Alcohol use and your health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html
- Jain, A., Yelamanchili, V. S., Brown, K. N., & Goel, A. (2024). Holiday heart syndrome. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537185/
- Newman, R. K., & Stobart Gallagher, M. A. (2024). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
- Piano, M. R. (2017). Alcohol’s effects on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 38(2), 219–241. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5513687/
