Shortness Of Breath Or Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol: The Facts

Shortness of breath after consuming alcohol is a common symptom that many people experience but for people who normally don’t get out of breath, it may be disturbing and concerning when this happens.

Shortness of breath may appear whether you drink wine, beer, or spirits, but the exact cause is not fully understood and may result from several factors. Not everyone experiences this symptom, but for those who do, the severity can vary from one person to another.

One possible cause of shortness of breath after drinking alcohol could be an allergic reaction as some people may have allergies to ingredients found in alcoholic beverages, such as grain or fruits.

These ingredients can trigger reactions including wheezing, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Alcohol is known to worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to shortness of breath.

Another potential cause for difficulty in breathing after alcohol consumption is the effects it has on the cardiovascular system, including the dilation of blood vessels, which provoke a drop in blood pressure, reducing the amount of oxygen passing into the lungs, which makes breathing more difficult.

In this article, we will take a look at the facts that potentially may cause shortness of breath after drinking alcohol and address the importance of seeking appropriate medical advice if necessary.

What Causes Shortness Of Breath Or Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol?

There are a few facts relating to shortness of breath after you have been drinking alcohol that are important to consider. 

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol addiction, and there is a risk of developing respiratory problems as alcohol is recognized for slowing down breathing rate, commonly known as respiratory depression.

As alcohol dilates the blood vessels, the blood flow significantly increases leading to a more rapid heartbeat that affects the breathing rate and feeling out of breath.

Additionally, alcohol is a depressant and has a direct effect on the nervous central system and causes the muscles in the body to relax, which in turn can also make breathing more complex. The substance disrupts the balance between the oxygen and carbon dioxide measures in the body, all contributing to making someone’s breathing shorter.

People who already have a pre-existing respiratory disorder like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more susceptible to feeling out of breath after having consumed alcohol and may experience chest pain along with some trouble breathing.

One more fact is that alcohol causes dehydration and decreases the volume of blood circulating in the body; this results in the lungs and body’s tissues not receiving enough oxygen and induces feelings of breathlessness. In summary, it is important to understand the impact alcohol can have on breathing and to avoid excessive consumption.

Can Alcohol Addiction Cause Heart Problems?

Alcohol addiction is a very serious condition, and in the later stages of development, there are heightened risks to health, including heart problems and even fatality.

Heavy drinkers of alcohol over a prolonged time can develop a condition known as cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle gets enlarged and weakens.

This disorder leads to high blood pressure and decreases the ability of the heart to effectively pump blood around the body, causing signs of fatigue, swelling legs, and severe breathing difficulties; all of these symptoms contribute to placing further pressure and strain on the heart causing elevated risks of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Excessive alcohol consumption has been proven that it can lead to having an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia, another serious heart condition that may evolve into more serious problems.

Arteries may get blocked with fatty deposits that gradually harden and narrow them, leading to atherosclerosis, another severe heart disease.

The potential impact that alcohol has on the heart should be strongly emphasized to avoid the risk of developing any of these life-threatening cardiovascular conditions and ensure alcohol consumption is in moderation, keeping within the recommended limits.

What Are The Recommended Limits Of Alcohol Use?

Alcohol is a legalized substance but still comes with limits and recommendations due to it being such a powerful and addictive drug.

Legal limits may vary, but the main focus is to ensure the safety of consumers, and restrictions are regarded as the best measure for drink awareness and taking responsibility.

That said, there are set recommendation limits for alcohol use and are aimed to give guidance to anyone wanting to consume alcohol without damaging their health.

These recommendations may vary and can depend on gender, age, overall health, and other individual factors, but for most adults, the guidance for moderate alcohol consumption is generally one alcoholic beverage per day for women and up to two drinks for men.

However, this is misleading as most recommendations are given in units of alcohol, whereby one unit is equivalent to 10ml of 8g of pure alcohol.

The number of units depends on the size and strength of the drink; for example, a pint of beer contains three units of alcohol, yet the same volume of a lower-strength beer has just over two units. On average, alcohol intake is around 14 units per week.

There are further calculations that can be used to work out the strength and volume of a drink, but these are only for guidance and may not apply to everyone.

However, if someone exceeds the recommended amounts and their drinking habit becomes excessive, the risk of cardiovascular problems increases and could eventually lead to a sudden cardiac death.

It is significantly important that individuals are aware of their limits and recognize their drinking habits to prevent chronic alcohol use, as not only does it have damaging effects on the body, but it also harms mental health.

You should always seek immediate medical help if there are signs of alcohol poisoning, such as confusion, irregular or shallow breathing, vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness, as these symptoms can be life-threatening and will require urgent intervention.

To summarize, it is recommended that alcohol should be consumed in moderation and to keep in mind the potential consequences that excessive alcohol consumption can produce.

See Your Doctor If You Have Serious Difficulty Breathing

Suppose you have had a night out and consumed more alcohol than expected. In that case, it may be that you experience chest tightness or difficulty breathing that may just be a symptom associated with the typical hangover and will disappear as the effects of alcohol wear off.

However, if you already suffer from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol may trigger these health conditions, and you could find these symptoms more severe but may be manageable.

You should always seek medical help if you have persistent pain or tightness in the chest or if you have a sudden panic attack, or symptoms of shallow or irregular breathing.

Binge drinking can cause serious health problems due to the excessive amounts of alcohol consumed in a short time and could seriously cause heart failure.

When you stop drinking, the alcohol effects start to wear off and gradually fade, leaving you, perhaps, with a persistent headache or experiencing shaking or vomiting associated with withdrawal symptoms, but if any of these feelings continue, it may be that intoxication is more severe and your body is dehydrated.

Severe cases of dehydration need to be addressed promptly, as if left untreated, the low levels of sodium in the blood can lead to cardiac arrest or stroke.

If you have any concerns about your health after having consumed large quantities of alcohol or, indeed, if you experience chest pain after drinking and you are uncomfortably short of breath, you should seek medical attention as your top priority.

Medical Attention For Heavy Alcohol Users

After reading this article, if you think you could have an excessive drinking problem or may be experiencing some of the health issues outlined that can affect the heart, you may want to find out more about alcohol dependence and how it can be treated.

Severe alcohol addiction nearly always requires a medically supported detox and specialized alcohol addiction treatment to address the health problems and ensure the patient transitions into a sustainable and long-lasting recovery.

To give up drinking on your own accord can prove extremely difficult due to the complex withdrawal symptoms and high risk of relapse.

Resilient Recovery is aware of the challenges people face when they decide to quit drinking alcohol, and we have experience in addressing and intervening in the problems that may arise.  Our specialized medical team is fully dedicated to ensuring each individual receives a specific, tailored treatment program to cover their needs and best suited for their requirements.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder and needs help, give us a call now. Our friendly staff will gladly answer any questions or concerns you may have and can provide you with the necessary information and advice to help you find the solution to alcohol addiction.