Why does your heart beat so quickly when drinking/hungover?

Answers (1)

Marty Davey (Registered Dietitian) answered (1/29/2013)

Alcohol is a diuretic. That means it puts your urinary tract into overdrive. When you are dehydrated your bloodstream doesn't move as well.

Here's something else. Your arteries are lined with this cells called, endothelial. [There is no test.] These endothelial cells emit a gas, Nitric Oxide [NO]. NO is what keeps your veins and arteries open, like blowing up a balloon. One drink will cause the endothelial cells to release more NO. It may be why your face gets flush as a glass of cabernet. Your blood is flowing easier. This is the same thing that happens when you run or exercise really hard.

When you have more than that one or two drinks, the system goes into reverse. The endothelial cells quit putting out the NO and your circulation system contracts. YUK! This makes it harder to pump your blood around, so your heart works harder.

If your heart is pumping harder, it is time to rethink what you did to get it there. At some during that fun time, you reached a tipping point. That point is different for different people at different stages of their lives. By looking at your behavior that got that heart rate up, you'll be in control to keep it at an even keel the next time out with your FAB friends.