Excessive drinking during holidays,festivals, weekends or parties could lead to ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’ that could wreck your heartbeats and even cause stroke
Excessive drinking and unhealthy habits during holidays can lead to arrhythmias, raising heart health risks. (Image: Freepik)
Many people let themselves loose on holidays and festivals. They indulge in binge drinking and overeating. While the sudden rush of alcohol raises your spirits high temporarily, it could lead to the deadly ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’ (HHS) that could wreck your heartbeats. People with atrial fibrillation ((irregular heartbeats) are twice as likely to suffer a stroke. The HHS condition raises its head during the holiday season, weekends, and festivals predominantly. It refers to a temporary set of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) that often occur after an episode of binge drinking. In India, many people indulge in excessive drinking during family get-togethers, weddings, weekend parties, small holidays, and festivals like Holi.
Pumping Triggers
Shedding light on the HHS, Dr Rishi Lohiya, MBBS, DM (Cardiology), FACC, FSAI, Sr. Consultant-Interventional Cardiology says, “The occurrence of episodes of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats) after a heavy binge of alcohol drinking is what the Holiday Heart Syndrome is all about.” Dr Lohiya further explains that there is a plethora of physiological and biochemical changes that take place in the many muscles of the heart that cumulatively contribute to this phenomenon. While other factors such as dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance could cause a similar phenomenon, alcohol here acts as the catalyst that increases the catecholamine levels, freeing a sudden release of fatty acids into the blood.
Dr Lohiya shares how festive seasons and holidays are heavily associated with binge drinking patterns which further aggravate such instances. Speaking of similar patterns across years, Dr Lohiya says, “It’s an amalgamation of many things such as increased alcohol consumption, overeating or unhealthy diets, dehydration, sudden disruption in sleep patterns, sedentary behaviour that is usually witnessed around occasions.”
Troubled Heart
Ruchi Sharma, Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach, Eat Fit Repeat says that amid festivities, it’s easy to lose track of limits, especially when it comes to alcohol. She explains that alcohol increases adrenaline levels throwing off the balance of electrolytes in the body. “What’s worse is the high salt content in party snacks, and the stress that often accompanies festive preparations making the heart work harder than usual,” Sharma says. The binge drinking and HHS surge witnessed during the holiday season is due to various factors — seasonal stress, fatigue, work pressure etc. All of the stress, hullabaloo and overconsumption of alcohol makes the heart that is otherwise in a perceived state of being ‘healthy’ and balanced, susceptible to Atrial fibrillation (Afib). It is the most common arrhythmia associated with the Holiday Heart Syndrome which occurs when the upper chambers (atria) of the heart beat erratically and out of sync with the lower chambers of the heart aka ventricles.
Most Susceptible Groups
HHS can affect anyone, irrespective of age or gender. The only required trigger is ‘excessive alcohol consumption’. “Middle age and elderly individuals or individuals with heart conditions, obesity, diabetes or even non-habitual drinkers are more prone to HHS,” cautions Dr Lohiya.
Studies have even pointed out that women could be more vulnerable to episodes of cardiovascular complications from alcohol. Vinita Contractor, Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach shares how the year-end celebrations coincide with winter in many parts of India. She says, “Cold weather here can constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure and even compound the effects of alcohol on the heart.” While the aftermath of excessive alcohol consumption is an unpleasant one, moderation could serve as the key to reducing its risk. “Avoid binge drinking by spacing out drinks over a longer duration,” Contractor says. Rather than gulping down drinks one after the other, people could consider sipping these slowly. “Drink plenty of water alongside alcohol to counter dehydration.” Moderation is the key to avoiding HHS. “For women, I would recommend no more than one drink a day, while for men the limit is two drinks,” says Sharma. She opines that opting for high-protein and clean meals could also help negate the effects of excessive alcohol.
Mindful Binging
While HHS is often a temporary and reversible phenomenon, it highlights an underlying serious issue of the social influence that alcohol has on people. Perhaps the best prevention is moderate drinking and mindful living. Excessive drinking episodes among the youth have also led to road accidents and disabilities.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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