Hello, I suffer from anxiety of the heart, mostly, but I was also diagnosed with GAD when I was a child.
I am a 26 year old male.
Whenever I drink alcohol (even one beer, no matter how slowly I drink it) my pulse increases. I've read this is normal and it makes sense biologically.
I do not drink to excess maybe having 1-2 beers on Fridays and Saturdays, though not ever week nowadays.
The thing is that over the past few months my anxiety has worsened about my heart. I have gotten a bunch of tests done to make sure my heart is functioning fine and that I am not at risk for a heart attack (My father had one at 25!!). All tests came back totally fine and my heart is functioning properly aside from a mild mitral valve prolapse.
I fully understand that my pulse will go up when I drink a beer and I understand this a normal, expected biological response. Even so, when my pulse elevates I become more anxious and it totally kills any buzz I may have gotten from the beer.
I probably need to be on a pill to manage my anxiety as it can be out of control and I dwell on my heartbeat almost constantly.
If I drink enough, I probably wouldn't care so much but that shouldn't be the answer to my problems. In fact, that could make it worse!
So, I'm wondering why, even if I fully understand the effects of alcohol on my body, do I still become anxious from my elevated pulse? I know the cause of it and I know I'm probably not in any danger, yet the anxiety persists every single time and does not allow me to relax from enjoying a beer. It's annoying!
Of course, I could abstain completely to prevent any problems, but I shouldn't be afraid of having a beer every once in a while.
Is there any suggestions anyone can give me over this? It's always easier than done when trying to rationalize the anxiousness of something.