It's not uncommon for our waistlines to increase slightly over the holidays as we indulge ourselves.

After all, trays of cookies and snacks are a common theme in many households over the Christmas season.

But it's not just the sweets and overeating that we need to be aware of; alcohol, in conjunction with salty foods, can be deadly following the holidays.

What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome?

Holiday Heat Syndrome (HHS) refers to alcohol-induced cardiac arrhythmias followed by long weekends of binge drinking.

While working on their study into HHS, researchers found that 44% of drinkers have admitted to binge drinking.

Emergency departments frequently report alcohol-induced arrhythmias, particularly within 12 to 36 hours after binge drinking episodes.

First described by Ettinger et al., in their research, they observed 24 patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation following weekend alcohol binges.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Fatigue and weakness
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or near-syncope

Diagnostic Tools

• Electrocardiograms (ECG): To detect arrhythmias.
• Blood Tests: To check for electrolyte imbalances and cardiac markers.
• Chest X-Rays: To evaluate signs of heart failure or pulmonary issues.
• Echocardiograms: To assess heart structure and function.

Holiday Heat Syndrome Prevention

It's not rocket science to prevent the effects of Holiday heart syndrome.

All you have to do is cut back on the drinks!

If you did have a few benders during the holidays, now is the time to keep an eye out and make sure you don't have any lingering impacts from the holiday drinking.

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