Don’t be caught unawares by holiday heart syndrome

Deadly heart attacks most commonly occur during the holiday season and specifically on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January, hence the term “holiday” heart syndrome! Here’s why it happens and how to try and prevent it happening to you…


Here comes the holiday season

The holiday season is upon us. For many South Africans this means a stressful dash down to the coast or other holiday destinations trying to avoid the potholes, hordes of taxis, trucks and other sometimes un-roadworthy vehicles as well as aggressive, speeding maniacs, drunken drivers, pedestrians and animals. On reaching their holiday destination alive, the driver and passengers usually give a sigh of relief and get ready for some serious relaxing, soaking up the sun, eating and drinking to their heart’s content. Unfortunately some of these activities, especially the boozing, are most definitely not what keeps the heart “content” and hence the many holiday heart attacks that occur mainly on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January.

When your heart acts up

With all the bare flesh being exposed during the holiday season, especially on the beach, an occasional heart flutter or extra strong heartbeat may not be any cause for alarm. However, holiday heart syndrome (not yet a heart attack) is a real and serious medical phenomenon characterised by an irregular heartbeat pattern (arrhythmia), even in individuals who are otherwise healthy.

Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat is one of a group of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is either faster (over 100 beats per minute) or slower (less than 60 beats per minute) than normal. Arrhythmias may occur in either the upper chambers of the heart (atria) or in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in holiday heart syndrome and is closely associated with alcohol consumption and binge drinking.

Check the symptoms

Common holiday heart syndrome symptoms include the following:

  • Abnormal heartbeat (palpitations) and rapid pulse rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling of the ankles or feet.

Know the risk factors

  • Alcohol consumption. Heavy, regular alcohol consumption followed by binge drinking during the holiday season has definite links to holiday heart syndrome.
  • Over-indulgence. Over-eating or eating a large amount of food at one sitting is a known risk factor. Also watch your caffeine consumption; moderate amounts are beneficial but over-indulgence is not.
  • Salt consumption. Too much salt in the diet causes fluid retention and high blood pressure and this may lead to atrial fibrillation.
  • Dehydration, especially on hot summer days, is a risk that is easy to avoid; just drink plenty of water (not alcoholic drinks).
  • Stress, sadness, depression or despair may be contributing risk factors. In fact, January is the month that sees the start of more divorce cases than any other month and crisis help lines are also at their busiest during this time.
  • Existing heart conditions and waiting too long to receive the necessary treatment when noticing the abovementioned symptoms place you at a higher risk for holiday heart syndrome.

Prevention and treatment

During the festive season, stick to moderate intake of alcohol, drink lots of water, and don’t overindulge on food, caffeine and salt. Manage holiday stress and other emotional upheavals. Prevention is always better than cure and can be achieved by avoiding the abovementioned risk factors and a possible heart attack or even stroke.

Also, be aware of the symptoms of holiday heart syndrome and act promptly if your heart starts acting up. Do not tarry but see a doctor immediately if you are not feeling well.

Treatment will vary according to how stable or unstable your condition is and may include a stay in hospital, physical manoeuvres, medications, electricity conversion, electro or cryo-cautery.

Sources
Bunch, T.J. 2013. Preventing holiday heart syndrome. Retrieved from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/jared-bunch-rhythm-of-life/preventing-holiday-heart-syndrome/
Campbell, K. 2014. Holiday heart syndrome: how to reduce your risk. Retrieved from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/24/holiday-heart-syndrome-how-to-reduce-your-risk/
Holiday heart syndrome. 2014. Retrieved from:  http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/155050-overview
Holiday heart syndrome. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_heart_syndrome