Tequila, like all alcoholic beverages, can make your heart race, a sensation also known as heart palpitations or tachycardia. This common physiological response is directly related to the presence of ethanol in the drink. Although alcohol functions as a central nervous system depressant, its immediate actions on the circulatory system trigger a compensatory reaction that speeds up the heart.
How Alcohol Affects Cardiovascular Function
Alcohol’s primary effect on the cardiovascular system is vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels throughout the body. This opening of the vessels leads to an immediate drop in overall blood pressure. The body registers this pressure drop as a threat to maintaining adequate blood flow to vital organs.
To quickly stabilize circulation, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, often called the “fight or flight” response. This system releases hormones like adrenaline, instructing the heart to beat faster and harder. This increase in heart rate, or tachycardia, is the body’s attempt to restore blood pressure and ensure proper perfusion throughout the body. Even a single alcoholic drink can lead to an average five-beat-per-minute elevation in heart rate lasting several hours.
This compensatory mechanism explains why you might feel flushed or warm, as blood vessels near the skin’s surface have dilated. The increased heart rate can last for many hours, sometimes up to 24 hours depending on the amount consumed. This effect places an increased workload on the heart, which must pump more blood to counteract the ethanol-induced vasodilation.
Factors Specific to Tequila Consumption
While the core mechanism is ethanol, certain characteristics of tequila consumption can make the racing heart sensation feel more pronounced. Tequila, like other distilled spirits, contains compounds called congeners, which are byproducts of fermentation and distillation. Darker, aged tequilas, such as Añejo, tend to have higher congener levels than clear Blanco tequilas, which may contribute to more severe next-day symptoms.
A more significant factor is the rapid manner in which tequila is often consumed, frequently taken as a shot or mixed with sugary, carbonated beverages. This fast ingestion leads to a quicker spike in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) compared to slowly sipping a drink. A rapid BAC increase forces the body to activate compensatory mechanisms more abruptly and intensely, leading to a more noticeable and immediate increase in heart rate. The high concentration of alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can cause symptoms like a fast pulse and sweating.
Individual and Environmental Accelerants
Several controllable factors can significantly amplify the heart-racing effect, independent of the type of alcohol consumed. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and causes the body to lose fluids and electrolytes like potassium and sodium. Dehydration forces the heart to work harder to circulate the reduced blood volume, further stressing the cardiovascular system and elevating the heart rate.
The dose and speed of consumption also play a major role in the strength of the heart’s response. Rapidly consuming a large quantity of alcohol over a short period—known as binge drinking—causes a stronger and more immediate compensatory reaction. This effect is worsened when alcohol is mixed with stimulants, such as caffeine from energy drinks or sodas. These stimulants act directly on the nervous system to increase heart rate and blood pressure, creating a dangerous combined effect with the heart’s compensatory response to alcohol.
Recognizing Serious Heart Rhythm Changes
While an elevated heart rate is a common reaction, it can sometimes transition into a more serious condition, particularly for individuals with underlying heart issues. Binge drinking can trigger an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib), often referred to as “Holiday Heart Syndrome.” AFib occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers, leading to a rapid and irregular pulse.
Symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention include chest pain, severe shortness of breath, a sustained fluttering sensation in the chest, or any instance of fainting or near-fainting. Even a single alcoholic drink has been associated with an increased risk of an AFib episode in susceptible individuals. Recognizing these signs is paramount, as an irregular heart rhythm can increase the risk of stroke if left untreated.