Overindulgence can lead to “Holiday Heart Syndrome”

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays typically involve big parties with families and friends, which is also an opportunity that could increase the risk of heart troubles. It’s all due to “holiday heart syndrome”, an irregular pattern of heartbeats that occurs over the holidays.

According to the American Heart Association, there is a five percent increase in heart related deaths over the holidays.

Dr. David Romness, an emergency room physician at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, said the syndrome is likely due to over indulgence that occurs at holiday parties.

“Holiday heart syndrome is a term that’s been pretty much been given to drinking a little bit too much alcohol over the holidays,” he said. “But It could happen anytime of the year.”

Dr. Romness said the condition could occur to anyone, including young healthy adults with no heart issues.

“It is a very common condition,” he said. “This is typically seen more in younger healthy people that just overindulged in alcohol and it usually resolves in about 24 hours”

His advice for everyone is to have moderation for everything, especially for people who are dealing with conditions such as high blood pressure.

“It’s mostly the alcohol that’s just going to cause it,” he said. “So be careful of how much you’re drinking. Make sure that you’re taking food with your alcohol and you’re drinking plenty of water on top of it.”

Dr. Romness said he also expected the emergency room at the hospital to be busy over the holiday weekend with urgent care facilities being closed during that time.