Watch out for ‘Holiday heart syndrome’
Those planning to party it up with champers, wine and beer on tap this holiday season should watch out for 'holiday heart syndrome'.
CONSUMING excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can cause a complication known as ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome'(HHS).
HHS typically occurs during the holidays when people, who don’t suffer from heart disease, experience irregular heart rhythms following heavy alcohol consumption.
Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics – SA’s leading supplier of heart medication – said the effect of alcohol on the heart generally depends on your age, health, the volume and the pattern of your drinking.
“Excessive alcohol consumption over time can increase your risk of stroke, weaken the heart muscle and render it less efficient at pumping blood to vital organs. Blood pressure also increases with each standard alcoholic drink, which contains roughly 10 to 16 grams of alcohol.
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“HHS can cause acute cardiovascular effects such as heartbeat irregularities, shortness of breath and chest pain,” Jennings said.
Jennings said the effects are reversible if one stops drinking or greatly reduces the amount you consume.
She said some of the symptoms are heart palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath or a fast heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute your heart skips a beat.
Jennings says the mechanism of HHS is not fully understood, but alcohol affects the conduction paths of the heart, which explains the onset of atrial fibrillation.
“Abstaining from alcohol for a while is usually the recommended treatment for HHS, but it’s best to see a doctor who will check for a dangerous drop in blood pressure or signs of acute heart failure,” she advised.
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According to the National Department of Health (NDoH), women should limit their alcohol intake to two drinks a day and men should preferably call it quits after the third glass and that constitutes sensible drinking.
“Lay low on coffee, energy drinks and fizzy drinks as they all contain caffeine which can act as a heart stimulant and cause AF. Avoid stress by exercising, meditating and getting enough sleep and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water,” she concluded.
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