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Holiday Heart Syndrome | Health Eagle
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Holiday Heart Syndrome

by Dean Heller MD December 21st, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
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I am not a regular drinker, but when I get together with my family, I like to enjoy a few drinks during the holidays.  Is there any danger if I overdo it a little, since I usually don’t drink?

That is a great question.  There are the usual problems with drinking alcohol.  Of course, you should not drive a vehicle after you are drinking, as it impairs your judgement.  You may also experience a “hangover.”  For this you should just make sure to hydrate well while you are drinking, as well as the next day.  There are specific problems related to sporadic alcohol use.  There is a heart problem called, Holiday Heart Syndrome.  It occurs in people just like yourself, who don’t usually drink alcohol, but then drink during the holidays.  What occurs is that the heart develops an arrhythmia, or an abnormal fast heart beat, very commonly a rhythm called Atrial Fibrillation.  If you feel persistent palpitations, or a fast heart beat that doesn’t go away on its own, you should seek medical attention.

To learn more about Holiday Heart Syndrome, watch this video from VideoMD.com.

 

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