Now that we are in the throes of the holiday season, I must warn you of Holiday Heart Syndrome, brought on by drinking too much wine, too many beers, and consuming too much sodium. You say you don't have heart disease? It doesn't matter. You can still get it.
What is it?
Holiday Heart Syndrome is not just stress. It is a real condition in which the heart is more vulnerable to disturbances of the heart's normal rhythm. It is a rapid, irregular rhythm your heart can enter when you drink too much alcohol. Most commonly the heart goes into ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, a rhythm characterized by the quivering of the heart's upper chambers called the atria. The atria normally contract in a regular fashion, squeezing blood efficiently into the lower chambers of the heart called the ventricles which send blood to the body. When the atria are merely quivering, that efficiency is lost, meaning not all of the blood will enter the ventricles but will sit in the atria. Blood that is not in motion can thicken, forming lumps called clots which can block circulation, causing strokes and heart attacks, and the loss of fingers or toes based on where they lodge themselves in the body's blood vessels. Other rhythm disturbances the heart can enter include atrial flutter, and premature beats. Premature beats can come from the lower as well as the upper chambers of the heart.
What causes it?
We are not entirely certain of the cause, but it tends to happen when a person has consumed too much alcohol, is stressed and/or is dehydrated. There are theories that it is caused by a rise in one's epinephrine or norepinephrine (adrenaline or noradrenaline) levels. These stress hormones increase heart rate.
Who is at risk?
People who usually have no history of heart disease often experience it.
What are the symptoms of Holiday Heart Syndrome?
The symptoms are caused by the heart entering a rapid and irregular rhythm. This can cause the sensation of palpitations which cause a fluttering in the chest due to the heart racing, pounding, or skipping beats. You may also feel chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or like you will faint.
How is it treated?
Go the the emergency room. You might need intravenous fluids, medication to slow the heart rate, and monitoring of your heart's rhythm. Usually the symptoms resolve when the offending agent or condition is no longer present in the system. Bring a list of all your medications. Know your personal and family medical history. Be honest when telling of any drugs or alcohol consumed. If you are without heart disease, the symptoms usually resolve within 24 hours and you will be cleared to return home. If there is concern for undiagnosed heart disease, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for additional evaluation and treatment. Underlying heart disease, combined with the symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath means a greater chance you may be having a heart attack.
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