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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Palpitations Of Heart In An Alcoholic Addict?

I have been experiencing heart palpitations for the past 3 weeks. Started after a couple of days of binge drinking alcohol, and a bad hangover. I have had anxiety attacks in the past but constantly drink caffeine and alcohol and the palpitations have always gone away. I only usually get them late at night or when sitting down, rarely when standing up or walking or working or excersing or laying down in certain positions. My Doctor had done every test on me over the years and everything shows heart and health is fine. I am just frustrated that palpitations won't stop or go away. Sometimes I get them at night when sleeping as I suffer from Sleep Apnea as well. I am on meds for anxiety attacks and take lorazepam when suffering a panic attack.
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Chronic alcohol use as such doesn't result in palpitations but if the amount of use reduces or delay in intake occurs then mild withdrawal symptoms present with panic attacks. The palpitations you are having are due to panic attacks only. You have underwent many tests and all came normal so this also confirms the diagnosis of panic as the cause of these palpitations. You are already taking anxiety drugs like Lorazepam for panic attacks. Other anxiety drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs if used regularly can help to reduce the anxiety symptoms and will reduce the episodes of palpitations.

Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc are used commonly. For relief of panic attacks medicines like Propranolol can be used. The drug can help to reduce the heart rate and thus helps to reduce the palpitations. Please visit a psychiatrist for evaluation of your symptoms and for prescription of these drugs.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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What Causes Palpitations Of Heart In An Alcoholic Addict?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Chronic alcohol use as such doesn t result in palpitations but if the amount of use reduces or delay in intake occurs then mild withdrawal symptoms present with panic attacks. The palpitations you are having are due to panic attacks only. You have underwent many tests and all came normal so this also confirms the diagnosis of panic as the cause of these palpitations. You are already taking anxiety drugs like Lorazepam for panic attacks. Other anxiety drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs if used regularly can help to reduce the anxiety symptoms and will reduce the episodes of palpitations. Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc are used commonly. For relief of panic attacks medicines like Propranolol can be used. The drug can help to reduce the heart rate and thus helps to reduce the palpitations. Please visit a psychiatrist for evaluation of your symptoms and for prescription of these drugs. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.