Acute and chronic effects of alcohol on autonomic function during sleep

Chronic and acute consumption of alcohol are associated with alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Acute alcohol consumption leads to an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a reduction in vagal tone. Chronic heavy drinking in the context of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is also associated with tonically elevated heart rate even when sober. Acute alcohol intoxication and AUD are also associated with dramatically disturbed sleep with common findings including increased wakefulness and likelihood of brief arousals throughout the night in AUD and in the second half of the night following drinking prior to sleep.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research