Alcohol can affect heart rate and rhythm during drinking and for hours afterward. A pounding or racing heart during a hangover may reflect a faster normal rhythm, dehydration, anxiety or poor sleep — but heavy drinking can also trigger genuine arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
Yes, heart palpitations can occur during a hangover. Alcohol itself can increase susceptibility to abnormal rhythms, particularly after heavy or binge drinking. The hangover period can also involve mild dehydration, poor sleep, anxiety, vomiting and changes in autonomic activity that may increase heart rate or make the heartbeat more noticeable. However, palpitations after drinking should not automatically be dismissed as a hangover, particularly if the heartbeat remains very fast or irregular or occurs with chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness or shortness of breath.
What Is a Hangover?
A hangover is a group of symptoms that can occur after drinking too much alcohol.
Common symptoms include:
- fatigue or weakness;
- thirst;
- headache;
- muscle aches;
- nausea or stomach discomfort;
- dizziness;
- sensitivity to light or sound;
- sweating;
- anxiety or irritability;
- poor concentration; and
- sometimes increased blood pressure or a noticeable heartbeat.
Hangover symptoms commonly become most noticeable as the blood alcohol concentration approaches zero. They may persist for 24 hours or longer.
Several processes are involved rather than one single toxin or mechanism. These include mild dehydration, disrupted sleep, gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, acetaldehyde exposure and temporary changes in brain and autonomic activity as the effects of alcohol wear off.
Important Correction: A Normal Hangover Does Not Cause “Metabolic Acidosis From Stored Glucose”
The previous version of this page claimed that alcohol forces glucose into storage and that releasing this stored glucose later increases blood acidity, producing metabolic acidosis and palpitations.
That is not an accepted explanation for ordinary hangover symptoms.
Severe metabolic abnormalities such as alcoholic ketoacidosis can occur in particular medical circumstances, especially in people with prolonged heavy alcohol use, poor food intake and repeated vomiting. That is a separate potentially serious condition and should not be confused with an ordinary morning-after hangover.
Why Can Heart Palpitations Happen During a Hangover?
Several mechanisms may contribute, and more than one may be present at the same time.
Alcohol can affect cardiac electrophysiology
Acute alcohol exposure can alter the electrical behavior of the atria and increase susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in some people. The risk tends to rise as alcohol exposure increases.
Mild dehydration
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin and increases urine production. Fluid loss, particularly when combined with vomiting or poor fluid intake, can contribute to thirst, weakness and a faster pulse.
Vomiting and electrolyte loss
Repeated vomiting can produce clinically important losses of potassium or other electrolytes. Because electrolytes are involved in the heart’s electrical function, substantial abnormalities can increase arrhythmia risk.
Poor sleep
Alcohol may initially make you sleepy, but it fragments sleep and often causes earlier awakening. Poor sleep can increase sympathetic activity and make the heartbeat more noticeable the next day.
Anxiety and autonomic rebound
When alcohol’s sedating effects wear off, some people feel restless, anxious, shaky or unusually alert. This temporary rebound can make the heart beat faster or make otherwise minor heartbeat sensations more noticeable.
Caffeine the next morning
Large amounts of coffee or energy drinks used to fight fatigue can sometimes increase heart rate or worsen palpitations in susceptible people. Caffeine also does not cure a hangover.
A pounding heartbeat after drinking may simply be sinus tachycardia, but alcohol can also trigger premature beats, atrial fibrillation or another arrhythmia. If symptoms are recurrent or prolonged, an ECG or ambulatory rhythm monitor can help determine what the heart is actually doing.
Learn more in our main causes of heart palpitations guide.
What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome?
“Holiday heart syndrome” is a term traditionally used for acute heart rhythm disturbances associated with heavy or binge alcohol consumption, often in people without previously diagnosed heart disease.
The rhythm most strongly associated with this phenomenon is atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF may feel like:
- a rapidly irregular heartbeat;
- fluttering or quivering in the chest;
- strong pounding beats;
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- shortness of breath; or
- reduced exercise tolerance.
Some people with AF have few or no symptoms, so the absence of a dramatic palpitation does not exclude it.
Modern research strengthens the association between alcohol exposure and AF. In people who already have AF, reducing or eliminating alcohol can reduce recurrence and overall AF burden.
The name sounds casual, but atrial fibrillation is a real arrhythmia. A new sustained fast or irregular heartbeat after heavy drinking should be medically evaluated rather than assumed to be an ordinary hangover symptom.
Can Alcohol Cause Palpitations at Night?
Yes, alcohol can contribute to nighttime palpitations in some people. Drinking may alter heart rhythm while alcohol is still present in the bloodstream, and symptoms may also become more noticeable later as alcohol levels fall.
However, alcohol is not the “most common cause of all nighttime palpitations.” Nighttime symptoms can also occur with premature beats, anxiety, sleep disruption, stimulants, thyroid disease, sleep apnea or genuine arrhythmias.
See our dedicated article on heart palpitations at night .
Hangover or Alcohol Withdrawal?
These terms should not be used interchangeably.
Hangover
A hangover can occur after an episode of excessive drinking even in someone who does not have alcohol use disorder or physical dependence. Symptoms typically emerge as alcohol levels fall toward zero.
Alcohol withdrawal
Withdrawal develops when someone whose nervous system has adapted to repeated heavy alcohol exposure substantially reduces or stops drinking. It can be much more medically serious than an ordinary hangover.
Alcohol Withdrawal Can Cause a Racing Heart
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- tremor;
- sweating;
- anxiety or agitation;
- insomnia;
- nausea or vomiting;
- elevated heart rate;
- elevated blood pressure;
- seizures; and
- delirium in severe cases.
Someone who drinks heavily or regularly and develops marked shaking, confusion, hallucinations, seizures or severe autonomic symptoms after stopping alcohol may need urgent medical treatment. Do not assume these symptoms are simply a bad hangover.
What Should You Do About Hangover Palpitations?
If the symptoms are mild, short-lived and there are no warning signs, general recovery measures may be reasonable while you monitor how you feel.
Stop drinking alcohol
Drinking more alcohol the next morning — sometimes called “hair of the dog” — does not cure the hangover and may prolong the problem.
Replace fluids gradually
Drink water or other non-alcoholic fluids as tolerated, particularly if you have been urinating frequently or have vomited.
Electrolyte drinks are not proven to cure hangovers, although a clinician may recommend electrolyte replacement when a genuine deficiency is suspected.
Eat as tolerated
If nausea is mild and you can eat, normal food may help restore energy and support recovery. Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down deserves medical attention.
Rest and avoid strenuous activity while unwell
Hangovers impair coordination, concentration and judgment. Avoid driving, operating machinery or strenuous exercise while significantly impaired.
Be cautious with caffeine
Coffee may improve alertness temporarily, but it does not speed alcohol clearance or cure a hangover. Large caffeine doses may worsen palpitations in some people.
There Is No Proven “Hangover Cure”
Coffee, cold showers, supplements and another alcoholic drink do not accelerate the brain’s recovery from excessive alcohol exposure.
Time, recovery from alcohol exposure and appropriate fluid and food intake are generally what allow ordinary hangover symptoms to resolve. A sustained arrhythmia, however, is a separate medical problem and should not simply be waited out because alcohol was involved.
What About Painkillers During a Hangover?
Medication safety matters after drinking.
Acetaminophen / paracetamol
Alcohol and acetaminophen are both processed by the liver. Excessive acetaminophen can cause severe liver injury, and chronic or substantial alcohol use can increase concern.
Do not exceed the labeled dose, do not combine multiple products that contain acetaminophen, and ask a clinician or pharmacist for advice if you drink heavily, have liver disease or are unsure whether it is safe for you.
Ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDs
Alcohol already irritates the gastrointestinal tract. Aspirin, ibuprofen and related anti-inflammatory medicines can also irritate the stomach and increase bleeding risk in some people.
They therefore should not be treated as completely risk-free hangover remedies.
Beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers or antiarrhythmic medicines should not be started, doubled or borrowed from someone else to treat an unexplained racing heartbeat after drinking. Treatment depends on the actual rhythm, blood pressure and medical history.
Is Red Wine Good for the Heart?
The older version of this page suggested that alcohol’s apparent cardiovascular benefits could be explained by resveratrol in red wine. That is no longer an appropriate message.
Observational studies have sometimes linked light or moderate alcohol intake with certain cardiovascular outcomes, but they cannot reliably prove that alcohol itself caused the apparent benefit.
The American Heart Association does not recommend drinking red wine or any other alcohol to obtain cardiovascular benefits.
If you do not drink alcohol, there is no heart-health reason to start. Beneficial plant compounds found in grapes and other foods can be obtained without consuming alcohol.
Dr. Albana’s Note
When someone tells me their heart is pounding the morning after drinking, I first ask how much alcohol was consumed, whether they have been vomiting, whether the rhythm feels simply fast or clearly irregular, and whether there is chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness or shortness of breath. Many episodes may represent a temporary faster sinus rhythm during recovery, but alcohol can also trigger real arrhythmias. If the rhythm remains fast or irregular, documenting it with an ECG is much safer than assuming it is “only a hangover.”
When Should You Contact a Doctor?
Arrange medical assessment if:
- palpitations continue well beyond the usual hangover period;
- the episodes keep happening whenever you drink;
- the heartbeat is repeatedly fast or irregular;
- you notice frequent skipped or extra beats;
- you have known heart disease;
- you take medicines that affect heart rate or rhythm;
- you have recurrent dizziness or unusual weakness;
- you repeatedly vomit after drinking;
- you are concerned about your alcohol intake; or
- you experience symptoms suggesting alcohol withdrawal rather than a simple hangover.
For persistent symptoms, see our guide to constant and frequent heart palpitations .
When Are Hangover Palpitations an Emergency?
Seek urgent or emergency medical care if palpitations after drinking occur with:
- chest pain, pressure or significant tightness;
- fainting or loss of consciousness;
- collapse;
- severe shortness of breath;
- severe dizziness or near-fainting;
- a sustained very rapid or markedly irregular heartbeat;
- severe or rapidly worsening weakness;
- persistent inability to keep fluids down;
- a seizure;
- severe confusion, agitation or hallucinations; or
- other rapidly worsening symptoms.
Chest pain after heavy drinking should not automatically be blamed on heartburn, anxiety or a hangover.
See our guide to chest pain and heart palpitations for additional education, but emergency warning signs require medical care first.
Most Asked Questions
Is it normal to have heart palpitations during a hangover?
Palpitations can occur after drinking because alcohol may influence heart rhythm while dehydration, poor sleep, anxiety or vomiting can increase heart rate or heartbeat awareness. However, persistent or markedly irregular palpitations should not simply be considered “normal.”
Why is my heart racing the morning after drinking?
Possible explanations include a faster sinus rhythm related to dehydration, poor sleep, anxiety or autonomic rebound. Alcohol can also precipitate arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, so a sustained or irregular racing heartbeat may need an ECG.
Can alcohol cause atrial fibrillation?
Yes. Alcohol consumption, particularly heavy or binge drinking, is associated with atrial fibrillation. Acute alcohol exposure can trigger an AF episode in susceptible people, and reducing alcohol intake can reduce AF recurrence in patients who already have the condition.
What is holiday heart syndrome?
Holiday heart syndrome refers to acute rhythm disturbances associated with substantial alcohol intake, particularly atrial fibrillation. It can occur even in people without previously diagnosed heart disease.
Does dehydration cause hangover palpitations?
Mild dehydration can contribute to a faster pulse and other hangover symptoms, especially when alcohol-related urination, vomiting or poor fluid intake are present. However, dehydration is not the only possible cause of palpitations after drinking.
Will electrolyte drinks stop the palpitations?
Not necessarily. Electrolyte drinks have not been proven to cure hangovers. If vomiting or another condition has caused a true electrolyte abnormality, appropriate replacement may be needed, but recurrent palpitations still require consideration of the heart rhythm itself.
Is a hangover the same as alcohol withdrawal?
No. A hangover can occur after excessive drinking in someone without dependence. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person whose body has adapted to regular heavy alcohol use substantially reduces or stops drinking. Withdrawal can cause a racing heart, sweating, tremor, seizures and delirium and can be medically dangerous.
Should I drink more alcohol to stop a hangover?
No. Another alcoholic drink may temporarily mask some symptoms but can prolong the recovery process and adds further alcohol exposure.
Is red wine good for the heart?
Alcohol is not recommended as a cardiovascular treatment. The American Heart Association advises people who do not drink not to start for supposed health benefits. Potential beneficial plant compounds can be obtained from alcohol-free foods.
How long should heart palpitations after drinking last?
There is no universal safe duration because the underlying rhythm matters. Brief heartbeat awareness may improve as the hangover resolves, while a sustained fast or irregular rhythm may represent an arrhythmia. Seek medical assessment if symptoms persist, worsen or are accompanied by warning signs.
Related Heart Palpitation Guides
Medical References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Hangovers. NIAAA .
- American Heart Association. Alcohol Use and Cardiovascular Disease. Scientific Statement summary. Updated June 2025. American Heart Association .
- American Heart Association. Before You Toast, Know the Risks of Holiday Heart Syndrome. Published December 15, 2025. American Heart Association .
- Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation. 2024. AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline .
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Use Disorder: From Risk to Diagnosis to Recovery. NIAAA .
- American Heart Association. Is Drinking Alcohol Part of a Healthy Lifestyle? Updated 2025. American Heart Association .
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. OTC Acetaminophen Liver Warning Guidance. FDA .
About the Medical Team
Dr. Albana Greca, MBBS, MMedSc
Family Physician / General Practitioner
Dr. Albana Greca has more than 20 years of experience in primary care, general medicine, chronic disease management, prevention, patient education and digital health.
Dr. Benard Shehu, MBBS, MS
Cardiologist
Dr. Benard Shehu has more than 19 years of cardiovascular experience, including clinical experience relevant to arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease.