Holiday Heart Syndrome Usmle
These are days when people drink more than normal.
Holiday heart syndrome usmle. Usually this happens in one of the atria which are the upper chambers of the heart. However you should call a doctor if you have had previous heart issues or if you experience additional holiday heart symptoms like. The holiday heart syndrome also referred to as alcohol induced atrial arrhythmias is characterized by an acute cardiac rhythm and or conduction disturbance associated with heavy ethanol consumption in a person without other clinical evidence of heart disease.
In 1978 philip ettinger described holiday heart syndrome hhs for the first time as the occurrence in healthy people without heart disease known to cause arrhythmia of an acute cardiac rhythm disturbance most frequently atrial fibrillation after binge drinking. Fortunately holiday heart syndrome caused by binge drinking typically resolves on its own if you stop drinking when you notice you aren t feeling well. Coined in 1978 the term is defined as abnormal heart rhythms sometimes following excessive alcohol consumption.
For example on specific holidays like christmas or new year s day this is more common. The combination can create what doctors call holiday heart syndrome it s a term coined in 1978 to describe the sudden increase of patients in emergency rooms during the holidays complaining of. Holiday heart syndrome the occurrence of heart arrhythmia most frequently atrial fibrillation after bouts of binge drinking is known to occur even in healthy individuals.
The holiday heart syndrome is a common cause of cardiac disease predominantly in the united states of america. With holiday heart syndrome an arrhythmia occurs. In addition holiday heart syndrome affects young and healthy people.
In 1978 philip ettinger and coinvestigators coined the term holiday heart syndrome hhs as an acute cardiac rhythm and or conduction disturbance associated with heavy ethanol consumption in a. Drinking lots of alcohol in a short amount of time causes it. The name is derived from the fact that episodes were initially observed.
One is a condition called holiday heart syndrome it was coined by cardiologist phillip ettinger back 40 years ago. Holiday heart syndrome can be the result of stress dehydration and drinking alcohol. Often a faster heartbeat or small palpitations will go away within a 24 hour period.