How Common Is Holiday Heart Syndrome

Beware a hidden seasonal danger called holiday heart syndrome which can strike perfectly healthly people as they are enjoying yuletide cheer.

How common is holiday heart syndrome. Fortunately holiday heart syndrome tends to be acute after bouts. The risk also increased after new year s eve and other midsummer holidays. Coined in 1978 the term is defined as abnormal heart rhythms sometimes following excessive alcohol consumption.

It is especially common on both weekends and holidays. Holiday heart syndrome is an irregular heartbeat pattern presented in individuals who are otherwise healthy. Neilson reports that alcohol sales are up over 20 in retail stores and approaching 500 for online sales.

Arrhythmia may often be caused by a heart condition but studies over the past 40 years have shown that excessive drinking can also cause abnormal heart rates. Holiday heart syndrome hhs happens when overconsumption of alcohol causes arrhythmia a pounding fluttering or otherwise abnormal heartbeat. Afib tends to be more common in women and older adults especially those with high blood pressure or who are obese but holiday heart syndrome can happen to anyone says dr.

The first appearance of the term was in a study published in 1978 which explained an increase in cardiac hospitalizations in the days following christmas and new year s eve. Holiday heart syndrome can be the result of stress dehydration and drinking alcohol. As a result it s not surprising that the risk of a heart attack increases by about 15 percent during christmas and new year s.

15 percent on during the christmas new year holiday. Holiday heart syndrome was coined to describe the prevalence of cardiac rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation resulting from binge drinking during the holidays. Binge drinking is often defined as five or more drinks for a man or four or more drinks for a woman within two hours.

It is sometimes associated with binge drinking common during the. Holiday heart syndrome is atrial fibrillation or a fast irregular heartbeat. But holiday heart syndrome is about your heart and holiday excess.