Alcohol Withdrawal: Heart Rate to Increase
If you stop drinking after bingeing or heavy use, it can cause unpleasant and dangerous symptoms. After you stop drinking, your body undergoes changes affecting important systems and organs. This includes your nervous system, brain, circulatory system, and heart. Many people who have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) become concerned when they stop drinking because they feel their heart rate change, and they become anxious. Here’s what you need to know about the cardiac symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
People who have been regularly or heavily drinking alcohol often experience alcohol withdrawal when they significantly reduce or suddenly stop their drinking. This abrupt change can trigger a series of symptoms as the body reacts to the absence of alcohol. People may feel shaky, sweaty, and have a fast heart rate. They may also feel anxious or have mood swings. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures or hallucinations, which can lead to serious health risks.
While alcohol withdrawal might seem like very little to worry about, it can be very dangerous. If you have alcohol withdrawal, it’s imperative to get professional help because of potential problems. Professionals who specialize in alcohol addiction and healthcare can offer assistance to help with symptoms, which makes the process of recovery safer and more comfortable.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity depending on the level your level of alcohol dependency. These symptoms typically start within hours to a few days after reducing or stopping the amount of alcohol being consumed. Here’s what to look for if you think you or a loved one is experiencing withdrawal symptoms after refraining from drinking alcohol.
Physical Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal
Some of the first signs you’ll notice when you stop drinking are the physical symptoms. These might include:
- Shakiness or tremors
- Sweaty or clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Psychological Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal
There are also psychological signs of alcohol withdrawal that you or your loved ones might notice. These may take longer to manifest and may include:
- Anxiety and irritability
- Mood swings
- Confusion or disorientation
- Seizures and hallucinations
Keep in mind that not everyone who goes through alcohol withdrawal will experience all of these symptoms. In addition, the symptoms can differ from person to person. The severity of withdrawal also depends on what, how frequently, and how much you drank. Seeking medical treatment is critical, especially if someone has a history of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms or complications.
What Is Delirium Tremens?
Research estimates that as many as 1 in 5 deaths of U.S adults ages 20 to 49 years old is caused by excessive drinking. While more than 50% experience withdrawal symptoms after reducing or stopping alcohol consumption, only about 2-3% experience severe symptoms. The most serious symptom is delirium tremens, which can be fatal. People with extremely severe symptoms may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperthermia (unusually high body temperature)
- Diaphoresis (profuse sweating)
You might experience these symptoms a couple of days after cutting back or quitting alcohol. They can last for up to a week or even longer. Seek medical care instead of going through withdrawal alone to avoid serious health complications.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Heart?
Alcohol abuse can have both short-term and long-term effects on the heart. Excessive or chronic alcohol consumption can cause serious harm.
Short-term Effects of Alcohol on the Heart
Alcohol can temporarily cause a rise in heart rate and blood pressure shortly after consumption. This effect is more pronounced with higher alcohol intake. In some cases, alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, can lead to irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which might be dangerous, especially for people with preexisting heart conditions.
Prolonged heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle, leading to a condition called cardiomyopathy. This can result in heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.
Long-term Effects of Alcohol on the Heart
Excessive alcohol intake over time can contribute to the development of many cardiovascular issues. The most common is high blood pressure (hypertension), which can increase the client’s risk factors for various other heart-related issues. Long-term heavy drinking is also associated with an increased risk of developing various heart diseases, including coronary artery disease, where the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrow or blocked. Chronic alcohol abuse may lead to persistent irregular heart rhythms, increasing the risk of conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Chronic alcohol abuse can even elevate the risk of stroke due to its impact on blood pressure and the formation of blood clots. If you have a family history of any cardiovascular illness, doctors recommend that you stop drinking or drastically increase your intake to prevent permanent damage.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Can Lead to an Increased Heart Rate
An average heart rate typically falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Your heart rate often increases during physical activities, while under stress, or when you’re excited. Additionally, if you drink a lot of alcohol and then stop, your heart rate may go higher than usual.
When you stop drinking, the entire body reacts to the absence of alcohol. The ethanol in alcoholic beverages is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so the nervous system is affected by alcohol and changes when alcohol is suddenly removed. The increased activity in the nervous system can affect the heart, causing it to beat faster than usual. This increase in heart rate is known as tachycardia and is part of the body’s stress response.
Changes in heart rate during alcohol withdrawal vary widely among different people. Some may experience mild changes while others may have more pronounced heart rate changes. During severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, the heart rate can escalate to a dangerous level and cause complications.
Monitoring heart rate and other vital signs during alcohol withdrawal is critical. Doctors and nurses help with symptoms and give medicine to stabilize the heart rate.
Is Alcohol Withdrawal Dangerous?
Quitting alcohol can be risky, especially for heavy, long-term drinkers. The severity of withdrawal symptoms ranges widely from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions. In addition to the cardiovascular symptoms that we’ve discussed, in some cases, alcohol withdrawal can lead to a range of symptoms that, if left untreated, may pose significant health risks and can even cause death.
Delirium tremens (DTs) are characterized by confusion, extreme agitation, and hallucinations. It can also cause seizures, fast heart rate, and a dangerously high body temperature, all of which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Someone experiencing delirium tremens should be monitored by a medical professional.
The seizures that the client with alcohol withdrawal syndrome experiences could be deadly. Seizures that last longer than five minutes or multiple seizures that last longer than five minutes are called epileptic seizures, and they cause damage because they can interrupt the airway and cause hypoxia, or a loss of oxygen to the cells.
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may seem innocuous enough, but if left untreated, they can also cause serious complications like metabolic acidosis and hyponatremia, which can damage your kidneys.
If you have a history of heavy drinking or severe withdrawal symptoms, it’s critical to get medical help. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Doctors and nurses offer support, watch vital signs, give medicine, and make withdrawal more manageable. Contact AlcoholAwareness.org anytime, and we’re happy to get you into a treatment center that will tailor a detox to your specific medical issues. After detox, we can find you a program that can set you on the path to the life you’ve always wanted.
Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal
The treatment for alcohol withdrawal helps with symptoms, prevents problems, and supports people through a safer and more comfortable withdrawal. The specific treatments can vary based on the severity of withdrawal symptoms and individual health needs. Here are some common approaches.
Medical Supervision
Medical supervision is crucial, especially for people with a history of severe withdrawal symptoms or those at risk of complications. Being under the care of healthcare professionals allows for close monitoring of vital signs and symptoms.
Medications
Certain medications can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and prevent severe complications. These might include benzodiazepines to address anxiety, seizures, and insomnia; anticonvulsants to prevent seizures, muscle spasms, or tension; and beta-blockers to manage increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Fluids and Nutrition
Proper hydration and nutrition are essential during alcohol withdrawal. Intravenous fluids may be administered if there’s a risk of dehydration, and nutritional support can help replenish nutrients that might be deficient because of an extended period of heavy drinking.
Mental Health Support
Counseling, therapy, or support groups can be beneficial to address the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction. These interventions can help you cope with cravings, understand triggers, and develop strategies for long-term recovery.
Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment Programs
Depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms and your needs, treatment might occur in an inpatient facility where round-the-clock care is provided or through outpatient programs that offer structured support while allowing you to stay at home.
Supportive Care
Providing a supportive and understanding environment is crucial for people going through alcohol withdrawal. Emotional support from family, friends, or support groups can significantly aid recovery.
Get Help for Your Alcohol Addiction
Getting professional medical help is crucial for people with a history of severe alcohol withdrawal. Healthcare professionals can choose the best treatment plan, keep you safe, and support you through withdrawal.
If you or a family member needs help, don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you need it. Alcohol Awareness has professionals standing by 24/7 to answer your calls. Call 855-955-0771 today!