Holiday Heart Syndrome: A Significant Health Risk Tied to Festive Drinking

As the season of workplace Christmas parties and family gatherings kicks off, many people indulge in heavier-than-usual drinking. After such occasions, you might notice your heart racing or beating irregularly, feel a fluttering in your chest or neck, experience dizziness, or struggle to catch your breath. Concerned, you might head to the emergency department, only to learn you have “alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmia“—an irregular heartbeat triggered by binge drinking. This condition is so common during the holidays it has earned the nickname “holiday heart.”

What Is Holiday Heart?

During the festive season, emergency departments see a surge in alcohol-related health issues, including irregular heart rhythms. These episodes often stem from a combination of binge drinking, overeating, dehydration, and seasonal stress.

First identified nearly 50 years ago, holiday heart syndrome was originally described as an abnormal heart rhythm occurring in otherwise healthy people after heavy alcohol consumption. Doctors frequently observed it after weekends, public holidays, and festive celebrations. However, irregular heart rhythms linked to alcohol aren’t confined to the holidays—they can occur year-round in individuals who binge drink or those with a history of chronic heavy drinking.

What Causes Holiday Heart, and How Is It Diagnosed?

Alcohol can disrupt your heart, blood vessels, and nervous system in several ways. It may lead to dehydration and inflammation, which interfere with the heart’s electrical system and result in an irregular heartbeat.

Symptoms of holiday heart include heart palpitations, chest pain, fainting, and shortness of breath. However, irregular heartbeats can also occur without noticeable symptoms and may only be discovered during investigations for other health conditions.

If you experience symptoms, visit your doctor or the emergency department. Diagnosis typically involves:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This non-invasive test uses electrodes placed on your chest, arms, and legs to measure your heart’s electrical activity, identifying irregular rhythms.
• Blood tests: These can check for electrolyte imbalances, inflammation markers, and kidney or liver function issues.

Clinicians may focus on the “P wave” in the ECG, which represents the electrical activation of the heart’s upper chambers.

Why Is Holiday Heart Concerning?

Most people diagnosed with holiday heart recover fully, especially when treated early or after reducing alcohol consumption. However, some individuals are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder. AF affects 1.4%–5.5% of Australian adults and may require:

• Medication to restore a regular heartbeat.
• Electrical cardioversion, using a defibrillator to reset the heart’s rhythm.
• Cardiac ablation, a procedure to correct the underlying electrical issue.

Untreated atrial fibrillation increases the risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.

Preventing Holiday Heart

There’s no specific alcohol threshold that triggers holiday heart, but prevention starts with avoiding binge drinking. Australian guidelines suggest consuming no more than:

• 10 standard drinks per week.
• 4 standard drinks in a single day.

Other strategies include:

• Hydration: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to counteract dehydration.
• Stress management: Reduce seasonal stress to avoid additional strain on your heart.
• Healthy lifestyle: Stay active and eat a heart-friendly diet to support overall cardiovascular health.

By moderating alcohol intake and maintaining healthy habits, you can reduce your risk of holiday heart syndrome and keep your heart in good shape throughout the festive season.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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