Elsa Angel Rose
WHAT IS A ‘HOLIDAY HEART SYNDROME?’
Holiday heart syndrome is a common term during the holiday season. It is not necessarily a heart attack but rather palpitations and abnormalities in the rhythm of the heart. “The most common disturbance is atrial fibrillation, where instead of maintaining a normal rhythm, the heart beats extremely fast and irregularly. As time went by, this pattern strongly associated itself with binge drinking — that is, normally on Friday evenings or during holidays after one had been working all week,” explains Dr Jyoti Kusnur, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, at Manipal Hospital. Dr Amar Prabhudesai, Professor and Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Goa Medical College, shares that holiday heart syndrome is typically described after alcohol binge wherein the person develops an irregular heartbeat giving rise to palpitations, fatigue and sometimes mild breathlessness. Evidently, alcohol is a major trigger for increased heart palpitations or abnormalities, particularly binge drinking.
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Dr Amar emphasised that people who are sleep deprived or under high stress have a higher susceptibility to heart rhythm abnormalities. He added that individuals with diabetes or hypertension are at even greater risk, noting that while the condition can be self-limiting, it may require urgent attention if heart rates are very high or if the person has underlying heart disease, as there is also a small risk of blood clot formation leading to a brain stroke.
JUST ALCOHOL OR ANY OTHER FACTORS AT WORK?
“Alcohol is a major trigger, but it does not stand alone. Other triggers include drug use and smoking, excessive consumption of salty and processed foods, dehydration, and long drives or physical exhaustion, all of which place additional strain on the body,” Dr Jyoti shares. These factors increase irritability in hearts, eventually leading up to the unrequired heart palpitations. Festive binge drinking and regular consumption of ultra-processed foods is a major trouble maker. “The considered safe level of alcohol is around 15 ml per day. The body can process only a limited amount of alcohol each day. Anything beyond this acts like a poison, as it strains organs such as the liver, blood, and heart. Excess alcohol is associated with hypokalemia, increase in heart irritability, and triggers abnormal electrical activity in the heart,” Dr Jyoti shares. It has to be taken into cognisance that if a person has not consumed alcohol for a few days, they can then consume several days’ worth of alcohol in one sitting is not how it works. Ultra-processed foods include foods with high salt content, excess sugar, unsaturated and unhealthy fats, and foods which are low in fiber. Diets which have these foods dominating them may be a driving force in causing cardiac abnormalities. “Although a little is permissible, excess consumption is avoided, primarily because it poses a risk to heart health due to festive events,” Dr Jyoti informs.
CAN PARTYING ACTUALLY TRIGGER HEART ABNORMALITIES?
The answer to the question depends on what sort of a party person you are. “Partying can cause severe heart events, such as cardiac arrest, in young individuals if they binge drink or use recreational drugs, including cocaine, as well as other drugs that excessively stimulate the heart,” says Dr Jyoti. What these chemicals do is, they may cause life-threatening irregular heartbeats, abrupt contraction of the coronary arteries leading to reduced blood flow and heart attacks, and sudden stoppage of the heart. Dr Amar shares, “A healthy person who might have had a moderate amount of alcohol is highly unlikely to suffer from a cardiac arrest. But smoking, excessive alcohol, caffeine, extreme exhaustion, dehydration and the use of recreational drugs is a recipe for disaster.” He added, “Smoking and recreational drugs including cocaine, amphetamines, opioids and more can adversely affect the heart through multiple mechanisms and trigger disturbances in heart rhythm and blood supply leading to heart attacks and cardiac arrest.”
PROTECTING YOUNG HEARTS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
• Avoid smoking and the use of recreational drugs
• Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine
• Keep yourself well hydrated
• Guard against extreme exhaustion
• Ensure 7–8 hours of sleep
• Practise mindful eating and engage in regular exercise
• Seek medical help early if you experience chest discomfort or palpitations
(Tips shared by Dr Amar Prabhudesai, Professor and Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Goa Medical College.)
NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY
Holiday heart syndrome is not benign and should not be taken lightly, as it may result in heart failure due to reduced pumping efficiency, heart attacks, and strokes, since irregular rhythms can lead to clot formation in the heart. Dr Jyoti explained, “Often, people forget or fail to hydrate when on vacation or celebrating. Diabetic patients, for instance, should be even more cautious and monitor their blood sugar levels constantly even when on vacation.
