It’s a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t work as well during periods of high activity and can lead to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, such as angina (chest pain), heart attack, and even death.
The good news is that when you’re not actively doing something strenuous, your heart should return to normal rather quickly. Most cases of Holiday Heart Syndrome are seen in people who already have some heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of Holiday Heart Syndrome include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and fainting.
Must Read: Hashimoto’s FlareUp Symptoms
How Is It Treated?
There’s no specific treatment for Holiday Heart Syndrome. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. If you have coronary artery disease, your doctor may prescribe medications to help improve blood flow to your heart. If you have congestive heart failure, you may need medicines to help your heart pump more efficiently.
Avoid exercise, alcohol, and caffeine.
Most cases of Holiday Heart Syndrome are seen in people who already have some heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. If you have any heart diseases, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. The best way to prevent Holiday Heart Syndrome is to maintain a healthy lifestyle year-round. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.
Is there anything I can do to prevent it?
The best way to prevent Holiday Heart Syndrome is to maintain a healthy lifestyle year-round. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking. If you have any heart diseases, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely.
How long does it take for your holiday heart to go away?
If you have any heart diseases, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. The good news is that when you’re not actively doing something strenuous, your heart should return to normal relatively quickly.
Is Holiday Heart Syndrome a severe heart condition?
No, Holiday Heart Syndrome is not a severe heart condition. It is a term used to describe an abnormal heart rhythm in otherwise healthy people. The condition typically develops when someone drinks too much alcohol during the holidays, affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. When you’re not actively doing something strenuous, your heart should return to normal relatively quickly.
Must Read: Alcohol Use And The Heart
What Is the Difference Between a Holiday Heart and A Regular Heart Attack?
A regular heart attack is caused by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, leading to the death of heart muscle cells. A holiday heart is not caused by a blockage and is usually not as severe.
Is Holiday Heart Syndrome a Fib?
Holiday Heart Syndrome is not AFib. AFib is an irregular heartbeat that can be a severe condition in people with or without heart disease. If you have any symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and fainting, you should call 911 immediately to receive medical treatment.
Holiday Heart Syndrome is a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t work as well during periods of high activity and can lead to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, such as angina (chest pain), heart attack, and even death.
Is Holidays Heart Syndrome an Arrhythmia?
Holiday Heart Syndrome is not an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat, which can be life-threatening if it causes the heart to stop beating suddenly.
What to Know About Holiday Heart Syndrome.
In a medical journal, the first description of holiday heart syndrome occurred in 1978. During holidays, doctors noticed an increased incidence of cardiac rhythm disorders linked to binge drinking, which frequently presented themselves. Researchers discovered that binge drinking episodes usually occurred on weekends or holidays, resulting in hospitalization between Sunday and Tuesday or near the year-end holidays, absent from other alcohol-related illnesses.
Another research revealed that heart attack risk rose 15 percent over the Christmas/New Year holiday this month. The danger also rose on New Year’s Eve and other mid-summer holidays. Fortunately, holidays typically induce acute heart palpitations. It usually fades on its own after people stop drinking. So, if you have a faster than average or fluttering heart rate while imbibing, it’s probably time to quit doing so.
“It’s a metaphor for excess being not a good thing. So, our advice to patients on everything from alcohol to caffeine to extra vitamins to exercise is ‘everything in moderation.’ You can go overboard. Holiday heart syndrome is a perfect illustration of that idea,” Dr. Nicholas Skipitaris, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told Healthline.
Must Read: What Does Suboxone Do?
Hacks for Celebrating Heart-Healthy Holidays
Holidays are often associated with the traditional foods that go along with them. If you’re looking to limit your risk for holiday heart syndrome, Skipitaris recommends eating healthy and moderate exercise before, during, and after the festivities.
“Remember that it’s not smart to start drinking or smoking or doing other things like cocaine or methamphetamine on holiday itself. It’s a good idea to get a routine going before you begin to celebrate,” Skipitaris said.
“And don’t go from [binge drinking one night] right into exercise [the next day]. Take a couple of days off in between, and limit the amount you’re doing.”
Exercise during the holidays doesn’t mean you have to forgo all the fun. You can still enjoy your favorite activities, like skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, but take a few precautions first.
“If you’re going to be doing high-risk exercises, make sure you’re taking it easy the day before,” Skipitaris said. “And if you’re going to be drinking, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and not dehydrating yourself.”
“If you follow those simple rules, you can have a healthy holiday and enjoy your time with family and friends.” So if you’re celebrating the holidays this season, be sure to take precautions and enjoy yourself in moderation.
Can Binge Drinking Cause Holiday Heart Syndrome?
Yes, holiday heart syndrome can be caused by binge drinking. This occurs when people drink excessively in a short period, often on weekends or holidays. This can increase the risk of heart attack and other cardiac rhythm disorders.
In recent years, doctors have noticed an increased incidence of cardiac rhythm disorders linked to binge drinking, which frequently presented around weekends and holidays. Research has since revealed that binge drinking can significantly increase the risk of dying from heart disease.
“All major medical organizations agree that binge drinking carries serious health risks, including increasing your chances of developing cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“These studies show that binge drinkers are more likely to suffer a range of health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and even sudden death.” In light of this information, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers associated with binge drinking and take steps to avoid them. If you’re planning on attending a holiday party or other event where alcohol will be served, try to stick to moderation. “Binge drinkers have a tripled risk of having a heart attack, according to this study,” Volkow said. “This should be a strong warning bell for other people who binge drink that it’s not without medical consequences.”
Other Causes of Holiday Heart Syndrome?
While binge drinking is one of the most common causes of holiday heart syndrome, there are other potential causes. These include:
- Excessive eating and drinking
- Traveling long distances
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Stress from family gatherings
- Excitement and stress from holiday festivities,
- Changes in routine
- Eating unhealthy foods
How Can I Avoid Holiday Heart Syndrome?
There are a few simple things you can do to avoid holiday heart syndrome, including:
- Avoid excessive eating and drinking.
- Try to stick to healthy eating habits during the holidays.
- Exercise regularly, but be sure to take it easy the day before high-risk activities.
- Drink plenty of water and don’t over-consume alcohol.
- Get plenty of sleep and consider taking a nap during the day before engaging in risky activities.
- Stay active, but don’t suddenly start exercising the day after binge drinking; take some time off first.
- Try to avoid stress whenever possible, especially when traveling or around large groups of people.
- Consume any holiday medications with food and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration throughout the day and night.
- Set a limit on how much you drink, and stick to it; never go beyond that limit because even one or two drinks can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, leading to holiday heart syndrome.
- If you’re feeling ill, dizzy, or lightheaded, stop drinking and seek medical help immediately.
How long does it take for your holiday heart to go away?
Episodes of holiday heart syndrome usually pass in a few days. Never assume that any heart difficulties you are experiencing will go away on your own. When you have problems with your heart, especially caused by vacation, always visit a doctor.
What diet tips can you give if I have a holiday heart?
Holiday heart cannot be cured, only treated. However, there are ways to prevent or reduce the severity of an attack. You should eat small meals throughout the day instead of larger ones at night. The food you eat should not contain much saturated fat, and it must be low in salt. Avoid fatty foods, sugary drinks, and processed foods. Also, drink plenty of fluids—at least eight glasses per day.
Can exercise help?
Yes, exercise can help prevent holiday heart syndrome or lessen its effects. Be sure to get regular exercise, which will help keep your heart healthy year-round. But don’t overdo it. If you are not used to exercising, start by walking for at least half an hour three times a week.
How can I reduce my stress?
Most heart attacks are caused by too much stress over time. Identify all the sources of your stress—the things that cause you anxiety or make your blood pressure go up. Then do what you can to eliminate or reduce them. Take some time for yourself every day to relax and de-stress. Try yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation. And don’t forget to get plenty of sleep.
What if my symptoms continue?
If your symptoms continue after a few days, visit your doctor. They can run tests to determine what is causing your problems and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Do not try to treat holiday heart syndrome on your own. Untreated, it can lead to serious health problems.
What Does Holiday Heart Syndrome Feel Like?
The symptoms of holiday heart syndrome are similar to other problems that people can experience while at rest, such as fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. However, not everyone who experiences these things has Holiday heart syndrome. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats
- Light-headedness or dizziness
Why Do These Symptoms Happen?
The main reason for these symptoms is the lack of oxygen and blood flow to the heart muscle because of narrowed coronary arteries. The condition can be caused by: narrowing of the coronary arteries, atherosclerosis (also called hardening of the arteries), spasms of the coronary arteries, and heart attack.
Other conditions can cause the symptoms of coronary artery disease. These include:
- Heart attack – the main complication of coronary artery disease, a person having a heart attack may experience severe chest pain and discomfort that radiates to their jaw or shoulder. They also may be unable to breathe well and have nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, and anxiety.
- Prinzmetal’s angina – is a type of chest pain that causes severe discomfort in the center of the chest, often with radiation to the neck, arms, or upper back. This condition is also called vasospastic angina or variant angina. It can be triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress.
- Aortic aneurysm – is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the large artery that carries blood away from the heart (the aorta). Aneurysms can cause the artery to bulge or rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Pericarditis – is an inflammation of the sac-like membrane that surrounds and protects the heart. Symptoms include chest pain and a dry cough.
- Myocarditis – is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
