Binge drinking: All you need to know about the Holiday Heart Syndrome

The holiday season is here and so is the time for booze-filled blurs. Year-end festivities call for a celebration with good food, friends and family but it often leads to overdoing it. Medical professionals have warned for more than a decade that more people suffer from cardiac arrests during Christmas and New Year's Eve than any other period throughout the year. Back in the day, doctors coined the term Holiday Heart Syndrome to describe this condition.

Midday Online spoke to a cardiologist Dr Narayan Gadkar and a dietician Dr Jinal Patel to learn more about this syndrome and how to beat it.

What is Holiday Heart syndrome?
Holiday heart syndrome refers to irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmia) which occur due to overindulgence in alcohol mixed with salty foods. Dr Gadkar describes this condition as atrial fibrillation which denotes an inconsistent and often fast-paced heartbeat that can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart. After heavy bouts of drinking over weekends or holidays, people of all age groups become prone to disturbed cardiac rhythms.

"We drink and eat so much more and workout so less during the holiday season than really any other time of year," adds Dr Jinal, who is a dietitian at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai. She adds that healthy people without any history of cardiac issues may also develop episodes of this syndrome.

Why is it called holiday heart syndrome?
Dr Gadkar, a cardiologist at Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Chembur shares that holiday heart syndrome (HHS) is a heart condition that arises due to binge drinking. Eating and drinking too much is something that occurs any time of year, but it's called the holiday heart syndrome because the holidays present us with wholesome meals and drinks. It is that time of the year when we celebrate with a continual flow of salty snacks and festive cocktails.

What are the causes of this syndrome?
Dr Gadkar shares one working theory that alcohol causes alterations in the nervous system, which typically regulates heart rate. Excessive alcohol may also disrupt the electrical signals within the heart, which coordinate the contraction of cardiac cells. He lists out other causes: diabetes, caffeine, stress, heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, dehydration, and even sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of this syndrome?
The condition is purely metabolic and those who experience it will face symptoms like pounding heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, breathing problems, and lightheadedness. Some may develop excessive fatigue and pass out. Medical experts share that people suffering from bouts of anxiety are at a higher risk of complications that can be fatal if not treated at the right time.

Can one die from holiday heart syndrome?
This syndrome can rarely lead to death but may turn fatal if not tackled at the right time, says Dr Gadkar. He recommends consulting an expert if one experiences palpitations, chest pain and breathlessness, without any delay.

How can one avoid suffering from the holiday heart syndrome?
One obvious solution to HHS is to reduce alcohol consumption and salty foods. However, medical experts suggest more ways to tackle the ill effects of holiday binge drinking. Dr Gadkar suggests accommodating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. He advises against smoking and mixing it with alcohol. Another suggestion includes staying hydrated to wash away the toxins. One can get rid of toxins by making time to work out daily. Lastly, he adds, "Manage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and maintain an optimum weight. Moreover, avoid too much caffeine."

What snack should one opt for to reduce harm from alcohol?
Dr Jinal recommends eating a diet loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, lentils and seeds. She suggests avoiding junk, processed, oily, canned and spicy food. She says no to pizza, pasta, Chinese, French fries, burgers, bakery items, sweets and namkeens. "Opt for a healthy vegetable sandwich, peanut butter, mixed berries, popcorn, dates, grapes, hummus, chocolate chip bars, oats, and trail mix. Even a healthy smoothie is a great snack option!"

Lastly she advises to avoid mixing alcohol with sugary or energy drinks. Do not have snacks while drinking as they make us thirsty and induce an urge to drink more. This in turn plays cyclical effects, increasing our chances to suffer from this syndrome.

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