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

The holiday season is here and so is the time for boozefilled blurs Yearend 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 Yearrsquos Eve than any other period throughout the year Back in the day doctors coined the term Holiday Heart Syndrome to describe this conditionMidday Online spoke to a cardiologist Dr Narayan Gadkar and a dietician Dr Jinal Patel to learn more about this syndrome and how to beat itWhat is Holiday Heart syndromeHoliday 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 fastpaced 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 rhythmsldquoWe drink and eat so much more and workout so less during the holiday season than really any other time of yearrdquo 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 syndromeWhy is it called holiday heart syndromeDr 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 itrsquos 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 cocktailsWhat are the causes of this syndromeDr 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 apneaWhat are the symptoms of this syndromeThe 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 timeCan one die from holiday heart syndromeThis 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 delayHow can one avoid suffering from the holiday heart syndromeOne 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 wellbalanced 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 ldquoManage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and maintain an optimum weight Moreover avoid too much caffeinerdquoWhat snack should one opt for to reduce harm from alcoholDr 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 ldquoOpt 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 optionrdquoLastly 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 syndromeRead More Strokes and heart attacks on the rise among Indians