Alcohol-induced atrial fibrillation requires special attention around the holidays, doctors say
THE NEW YORK TIMES – I’ve grown to love the chaotic haze that is December: my frantic attempts to wrap gifts and cross items off my to-do lists, all sandwiched between company parties and drinks before everyone disperses for the holidays. But this mess full of drinking also makes the holidays a peak time for cardiovascular problems, doctors say: more people die of heart attacks between the Christmas and the New Year’s than at any other time of the year.
“We drink and eat a lot more and exercise and relax a lot less than at any other time of year,” said Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Nicholas Ruthmann.
Medical professionals have been warning about the heart risks the holiday season poses for decades. In the 1970s, doctors gave the particular problem of excessive drinking during celebrations a name: post vacation heart syndrome🇧🇷 They have noticed otherwise healthy patients heading to the emergency room after drinking during the holiday season with atrial fibrillation (Afib) or irregular heart rhythms.
“We see it in the young, the old, anyone,” says Kristen Brown, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of Nebraska Medical Center who has studied post-vacation heart syndrome.
“Holiday heart” is just another term for alcohol-induced atrial fibrillation, or AFIB, which is a fast, chaotic heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart conditions, says Gregory Marcus, a professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco who has studied alcohol and atrial fibrillation.
Many people with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms at all, says Hugh Calkins, professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Those with symptoms may experience pounding or palpitations, chest pain, or shortness of breath; some have extreme fatigue and even pass out. For some people, atrial fibrillation occurs for short periods, but for others, the condition can become permanent.
It’s especially important to be aware of your symptoms because atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of having a stroke; it has also been linked to dementia and heart failure, Calkins added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the death rate from AFib has been on the rise for more than two decades, growth that doctors attribute in part to an aging population in the United States.
Risk factors
The risk increases with age; by age 80, you have about a 10 percent chance of getting the disease, Calkins said. He also cited other risk factors: You’re more likely to have Afib if you’re tall (one study found people taller than 5’10 had a higher risk), obesity, or a family history of onset of Afib. early.
Doctors usually diagnose AFIB using an electrocardiogram.
“A common scenario,” Calkins says, is where a patient turns 50, has a colonoscopy for cancer screening, ends up getting an EKG, “here, he’s got AFib.” But as smartwatches with heart rate monitors become more popular, people are noticing heart rate changes on their own, he said, and are turning to cardiologists.
“Never in the history of our field have so many patients lined up to see us,” she says.
Doctors are still trying to figure out exactly how alcohol affects the heart, Marcus said. One working theory is that alcohol induces changes in the nervous system, which normally regulates heart rate. Excess alcohol can also alter the heart’s electrical signals, which coordinate the contraction of heart cells.
Warning signs
Over the past decade, scientists have strengthened the link between alcohol and AFIB. One study showed that just one drink a day can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by 16%. Even so, the increase in chances may not be drastic for the average person.
“If on any given day, the chance you have Afib tomorrow is 1 in 1,000 — if you have a glass of beer or wine tonight, maybe it’s 3 in 1,000,” Calkins said.
But people of all ages should still be aware of the warning signs, she added.
People tend to ignore their symptoms around the holidays and wait until the New Year to get medical attention, Ruthmann said. But it’s crucial to seek assistance if you have a persistent rapid heartbeat and chest pain, or are having difficulty breathing. Dizziness and feeling lightheaded or confused can also indicate a heart problem.
“Every second counts when it comes to the heart,” Ruthmann said.
Limiting the amount of alcohol you consume can help protect your heart, but for those who choose to drink, here are some ways to keep it healthy:
stay hydrated🇧🇷 If you’re drinking while on vacation, make sure you have a full glass of water between drinks, Ruthmann said. Dehydration increases your risk of post-vacation heart syndrome, Brown said, so staying hydrated is essential.
Don’t stop your medications🇧🇷 Many people leave their heart or blood pressure medications behind in the confusion of traveling to see family and friends, thinking they could get by for a few days without them, Ruthmann said. But it is important to continue taking the drug as scheduled.
Find time to exercise🇧🇷 Moderate exercise can help dampen afib. If you have a regular exercise routine that you can’t get over while on vacation, make time for a modified workout, even if it’s just a walk around the block.
manage stress🇧🇷 Stress can play a devastating role in increasing the risk of cardiac events, Ruthmann said. If you find yourself agitated, take a deep breath or try a grounding exercise.
As hectic as the holidays can be, be sure to listen to your body and pay attention to anything that’s making you feel bad, she advised.
“A happy Christmas can quickly turn into a scary Christmas.” / TRANSLATION LÍVIA BUELONI GONÇALVES
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Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
