Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol (What Does It Mean?)

Chest pain after drinking alcohol can have myriad causes, and should never be ignored. This is especially true if you experience physical pain while drinking, yet you cannot seem to stop. Being unable to quit drinking alcohol regardless of negative health consequences could be a sign of alcoholism.

Contact us today to learn more about alcohol addiction treatment.

What Causes Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol?

Chest pain after drinking alcohol can be a sign of several health problems, including damage to your heart, pancreas, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Heart Damage

Chest pain after drinking alcohol is often related to heart problems. Chronic alcohol abuse can negatively impact heart health in many ways, including:

• Cardiomyopathy: This disorder is characterized by structural changes in the heart muscle that impair its ability to pump blood. Alcohol typically contributes to dilated cardiomyopathy, which is when the chambers of the heart become thinned and stretched.
• High blood pressure: A June 2024 review in the journal Hypertension found “a positive and almost linear association between alcohol intake and hypertension risk.” In other words, not only does drinking contribute to high blood pressure, but the risk of alcohol-induced hypertension increase in proportion to the amount and frequency of a person’s alcohol use.
• Coronary heart disease: An April 2024 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology identified a correlation between high alcohol intake and an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). A press release that accompanied this study reported that heavy drinking led to a 45% greater risk of CHD among women and a 22% greater risk among men, when compared to those with a history of moderate alcohol use.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Sometimes, chest pain after drinking alcohol may be evidence of gastrointestinal problems such as:

• Intestinal inflammation: According to a 2017 study in the journal Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, large amounts of alcohol can cause inflammation in the intestines. This inflammation, in turn, can “overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and liver and lead to damage both within the GI and in other organs.” 
• Gastritis: Commonly referred to as heartburn, gastritis is actually an inflammation in the lining of the stomach. Heavy alcohol use can irritate this protective lining while also promoting increased production of acid in the stomach. The combination of a weakened lining and elevated acid levels can be a source of considerable discomfort, including chest pain.  
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas, which is referred to as pancreatitis, can contribute to digestive problems and unhealthy blood sugar levels. Experts estimate that heavy drinking is responsible for 17%-25% of pancreatitis cases throughout the world. Two symptoms of pancreatitis are stomach pain and chest pain.

Mental Health Concerns

Many people turn to alcohol as a means of coping with stress or alleviating anxiety. While this behavior may provide fleeting moments of relief, it is not a healthy strategy, and can make the problem much worse.

Though stress and anxiety are mental health concerns, they often cause physical symptoms as well. This is especially true of people who have panic attacks, but it can also apply to those who have other anxiety disorders or who have been dealing with overwhelming stress or pressure.

Common physical effects of anxiety and stress can include headaches, nausea, muscle tension, excessive perspiration, irregular breathing, racing heart rate, and chest pain. When they are occurring, they can be severe enough to cause a person to believe that they are having a heart attack and are about to die.

If someone drinks when they are feeling particularly anxious or stressed, and then experiences chest pains, this symptom may have more to do with their emotional pain than the alcohol itself. 

How Can I Avoid Chest Pain After Drinking Alcohol?

If you experience chest pain after drinking – or in any other circumstance – you should consult with your doctor. If the pain is particularly severe, you may need to call 911 or get to a hospital emergency room.

Depending on the results of your examination, your options for avoiding chest pain in the future may be to significantly reduce your drinking or to quit completely. 

If alcohol-related damage to your heart or other organs is caught in time, you may be able to reverse the effects by remaining abstinent from alcohol and making certain other changes. If the damage is irreversible, quitting drinking may at least halt or slow its progression. 

What’s most important is that you don’t ignore this symptom. Once you have undergone a thorough medical evaluation, and you understand what has caused the problem, you can begin to take the necessary steps to reverse the damage or prevent further harm.

What Happens if I Can’t Stop Drinking?

If your doctor advises you to reduce your alcohol intake, or stop drinking completely, and you are either unwilling or unable to do so, that can be a sign that you have become addicted to alcohol.

Other signs of alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism) include:

• Having strong cravings for alcohol
• Frequently drinking more or for a longer period of time than you intended
• Failing to fulfill your responsibilities at home, in school, or at work because of your drinking
• Spending considerable amounts of time drinking and recovering from the effects of alcohol
• Continuing to drink even after prior alcohol use caused or worsened a physical, psychological, or social problem
• Ending your participation in important activities because of your alcohol use
• Using alcohol in ways that pose a clear physical hazard, such as by drinking and driving or combining alcohol with other drugs
• Needing to drink more to experience alcohol’s effects
• Having withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking

If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you should talk to your doctor or make an appointment for an assessment with a reputable addiction treatment provider near you. 

Alcoholism is a treatable condition. When you get the help you need, you can minimize your risk of additional harm and begin to build a healthier future for yourself in recovery, beginning at a drug and alcohol detox program.

Learn More About Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Northern California

Bright Future Recovery is a premier source of alcohol rehab for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other substances.

Our continuum of care includes detox, residential treatment, and multiple outpatient options. When you choose our rehab in Northern California, a team of experienced and compassionate professionals will work closely with you to develop the customized solutions that align with your unique needs.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.