Anxiety, Alcohol and the Heart

[potatolover]

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.

[potatolover]

I know my heart is affected because I measure a significant pulse rate increase despite being at rest. I usually have a resting rate around 75-80. It will jump up to 90-95+. I'm very sensitive to heart changes and can feel my heart beating at almost all times (been this way since as long as I can remember, I know that in itself is nothing to be worried about)

I am in the process of getting my anxiety addressed. It's a slow process as I have no medical insurance, but a free clinic is helping me with all of my health issues.

As for trying to have a beer without worrying about my heart? I try to put it out of my mind and relax, but then ultimately I sense the pulse increase and get a little anxious.

I've been considering therapy as a solution, but as I said, no medical insurance right now so I wouldn't be able to afford it. I will definitely pursue that angle when I get a job with benefits.

The test results definitely have put me at, at least, a little ease. Still, the anxiety has been around so long that I feel it is ingrained into my psyche. It's difficult to not focus on it when I've become hypersensitive to it.

[Paxiled]

When I started getting anxiety attacks I had to stop drinking -- it causes a disorientation that is very like what some of the symptoms of anxiety feel like.  Stop drinking altogether for awhile and see if it helps.  And don't think "a pill" will solve any anxiety problems you have -- I'd try therapy first to try to solve this problem of focusing so much on your heart -- as the above says, how do you know your heart is adversely affected when you drink?  

[anxiety860]

It's simple. It's because you have anxiety the rational side of your brain knows why it's going up, but your anxiety assumes the worse. If u don't mind me asking, how you know your heart rate goes up when you drink a beer or two? Have you ever tried having a single beer without worrying about your heart? And trust me getting drunk to forget your problems is not the answer. I tried this for over a year and it only made my anxiety worse! You're only 26 and had medical tests on your heart to proof you are fine. The medical tests should give you some release.  Have you done anything to address your anxiety??