What to Know About Holiday Heart Syndrome
James Grant, M.D.
| 4 min read
James D. Grant, M.D., is executive vice president an...
Key Takeaways
- Holiday Heart Syndrome is characterized by heavy alcohol consumption over a short period of time, including over the weekend, at parties or during the holidays.
- HHS can affect anyone, but underlying conditions like high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes can exacerbate symptoms.
- Holiday Heart Syndrome symptoms are often the same as those of AFib and include palpitations, shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
- Moderating alcohol intake around the holidays is important. Remember to stay hydrated, mix in non-alcoholic beverages when you can and try to lower your sodium intake.
It can be easy to overeat and drink too much alcohol at the end of the year when holiday parties and family get-togethers are happening left and right. But while overindulging may not lead to major consequences for some, others may encounter serious health conditions. One of those is known as Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS).
Holiday Heart Syndrome is alcohol-induced atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat. It’s a condition characterized by heavy alcohol consumption over a short period of time, including over the weekend, at parties or during the holidays. The term was coined by a doctor in the 1970s who noticed a pattern of healthy patients without heart disease experiencing AFib after binge drinking around the holidays.
This condition can affect anyone, whether they have a preexisting heart condition or not, but underlying conditions like high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes can exacerbate symptoms.
What is the connection between heavy alcohol consumption and AFib?
Research has generally found that drinking in excess makes a person more likely to be diagnosed with AFib. One study examining more than 100,000 participants found that even modest habitual drinking – as little as 1.2 drinks per day – was associated with an increased risk of AFib. Compared to drinking no alcohol at all, researchers linked one alcoholic drink a day to a 16 percent increased risk of AFib over an average follow-up time of nearly 14 years.
Experts are still trying to fully understand the complex effects drinking alcohol has on the heart, but one theory is that alcohol induces alterations in the central nervous system, which regulates heart rate. Excessive alcohol may also change the electrical signals within the heart. These signals coordinate the contraction of cardiac cells.
What are the symptoms of Holiday Heart Syndrome?
HHS symptoms are often the same as those of AFib. Individuals experiencing an episode may notice:
- Palpitations and feeling like the heart is racing, fluttering, or pounding irregularly
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort, tightness or mild pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
- Anxiety
People shouldn’t ignore symptoms like these over the holidays and wait until the new year to receive medical attention. A persistent racing heartbeat, chest pain and trouble breathing are symptoms that should be treated swiftly by a medical professional.
Tips to protect the heart during the holidays
Moderating alcohol intake around the holidays can be tricky, but those who choose to drink should apply these heart-healthy tips:
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can increase one’s risk of HHS, so be sure to drink plenty of water while consuming alcohol to stay hydrated.
- Mix in non-alcoholic beverages: Try finding other drinks or treats to keep the hands busy and the cravings down while at parties. Mix in non-alcoholic beers, wines and holiday mocktails to enjoy festive, elevated beverages while avoiding negative health effects.
- Limit sodium intake: Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, which increases blood volume and makes the heart work harder. Most of the sodium in the standard American diet comes from packaged and processed foods. While picking through the holiday spread, avoid these foods and consider skipping adding table salt to meals.
- Stay active: Moderate physical activity may help protect against AFib. Though it can be easy, don’t fall out of an exercise rhythm around the holidays. Even when schedules get hectic, carving out time to walk can provide a health boost.
- Make time for stress management: Research has found stress to have a negative effect on cardiovascular health, and stress can be amplified during the holidays. Prioritize mental health by taking a step back to journal, meditate, walk, practice gratitude and anything else that helps the mind rest and recharge.
- Manage medication properly: Those who do have heart issues should stay on top of taking their heart or blood pressure medications as scheduled. Those who drink should avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) the next day to combat hangover symptoms, as NSAIDs can put even more stress on the heart by raising blood pressure and increasing risk for heart issues.
James D. Grant is the Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information visit MIBlueDaily.com.
Continue reading:
Photo credit: Getty Images
