There are worse Christmas presents than a lump of coal. One of them is self-induced – and preventable.
Eating or drinking too much, a frequent byproduct of the holidays, can lead to a temporary but frightening heart symptom, said Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. That symptom is known as “Holiday Heart Syndrome.”
A cardiologist coined the phrase almost 50 years ago after seeing many otherwise healthy people admitted to the hospital for similar symptoms: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain.
“Early on after this condition was discovered, doctors focused on binge drinking as the sole cause,” James said. “Alcohol seems to be the most common risk factor, but more recently it’s been determined that the same symptoms can result from bingeing on food, caffeine and stress.”
Holiday Heart Syndrome can feel like a flutter or quiver in your chest, or it can feel like your heart is racing, James said. Some symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack. Existing heart problems, age, family history, hypertension, obesity, smoking and panic disorders can increase your odds of experiencing the condition.
“While the symptoms typically last no more than a few hours to a day, they shouldn’t be ignored, as they can also be signs of serious heart issues,” said James, who holds OMRF’s Lou Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research. “The best thing is to talk to your healthcare professional or be seen at a healthcare facility for evaluation.”
Some scientists have theorized that Holiday Heart Syndrome is a combination of alcohol-induced dehydration and overstimulation of the vagus nerve, which James called “the brain’s information superhighway to your heart.”
A recent study found that of 100 people fitted with a heart monitor over a four-week period, 56 experienced at least one episode of atrial fibrillation shortly after drinking one or more glasses of alcohol.
As with many medical conditions, the best medicine is prevention, or at least moderation, James said. That means avoiding that second or third helping of your favorite food or drink, and staying calm through the stress that often accompanies December.
“I don’t want to tell people how to celebrate their holidays,” she said, “but nobody wants to celebrate in the emergency room.”
