Heart

Alcohol can affect heart rhythm, blood pressure and heart muscle, while withdrawal may place acute strain on the cardiovascular system.

The heart and blood vessels move blood around the body. Substance use can affect that circulation in several ways: changing the heartbeat, raising blood pressure, reducing blood supply to the heart, or contributing to damage that develops over time. These are different problems, with different causes and patterns of risk.

Alcohol, tobacco, stimulants and other substances do not have identical cardiovascular effects. How much is used, the pattern of use, combinations, medicines and existing health conditions matter. Heavy drinking and drinking a lot on one occasion can harm cardiovascular health. Alcohol should not be started for a supposed heart benefit.

A racing heart does not by itself prove heart disease, withdrawal or anxiety. Chest pain, breathlessness and fainting also need interpretation in context. Tight or squeezing chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, or palpitations that persist or occur with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting need emergency medical help. Sudden facial drooping, weakness on one side or difficulty speaking also need emergency help, even if they pass. Sudden confusion needs immediate medical help, whatever its possible cause.

For someone physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly or sharply reducing drinking can be dangerous. Seek medical advice about stopping safely. Heart health and substance use can be addressed together, without blame or an assumption that every problem has the same cause.

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