What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome and How Can You Avoid It?

The holidays can be a joyous experience that brings friends and loved ones together to enjoy long-held traditions. But it can also be stressful, and represents a break from your everyday routines. 

Here at Heart Care, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive heart health guidance and support. So let’s talk about Holiday Heart Syndrome and how you can avoid it this holiday season. 

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome?

Holiday Heart Syndrome, often referred to as “holiday heart” is a very common condition that most people simply don’t discuss by name. Have you ever experienced an irregular heartbeat during the holidays, even when you usually don’t notice any change in your heart rate?

It may have been due to a temporary change in how your heart functions, based on the different choices we make during the holiday season. The primary change is a difference in the rhythm of your heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation. 

Here are some signs you might have Holiday Heart Syndrome

The holidays bring so many heartwarming and exciting experiences. It’s perfectly normal to notice your heartbeat hastening as you embrace a loved one you haven’t seen for a while or watch someone open a gift you carefully chose and wrapped. 

But in general, your heart rate shouldn’t vary much on a day-to-day basis. The number one symptom of Holiday Heart Syndrome is frequent changes in how fast your heart beats within a specific span of time, like the weeks of the holiday season. 

Here’s what you might experience:

• Fluttering or racing heartbeat
• Feeling as though your heart might “beat out of your chest”
• Low energy
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Chest pain

These symptoms might only last for a few moments, or they could persist for a longer period of time. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, treat it like a medical emergency and get help right away. 

What causes Holiday Heart Syndrome?

A sudden disruption of your everyday routines brings on these seasonal changes in your heart rate. Very often, symptoms are directly linked to an increase in alcohol consumption around the holidays. 

Extensive research has linked alcohol consumption to atrial fibrillation.  Alcohol can cause your heart to beat faster, and also causes you to urinate more frequently, which can throw your electrolyte levels out of balance, which also places stress on your heart. 

Binge drinking is especially dangerous. Your body struggles to process excessive alcohol consumed over a short period of time. You can feel these effects in your heart rate both while you’re drinking and the day afterward. 

Consuming more caffeine than your body is used to can also trigger changes in heart rate, so be careful about having an extra cup of coffee to stay peppy for a holiday gathering or to get through a lengthy to-do list as a special event approaches. 

Excessive sodium consumption can also be problematic. Many people indulge in traditional treats during the holidays, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying these deviations from your regular nutritional routine. But be aware of the fat and salt content in your choices, and try to balance the effects by choosing healthy options for most meals and snacks. 

Don’t ignore changes in your heart rate

If you experience a racing heartbeat that doesn’t have a clear cause, or persists over time, it might be time to come in for a cardiovascular check-up. That’s especially true if you also have chronic health conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol. Atrial fibrillation increases your risk of stroke, so don’t be tempted to dismiss an irregular heartbeat. 

At Heart Care, we’re equipped to diagnose the full scope of heart health conditions. We also offer preventive cardiology to help you preserve and protect your heart health over time. 

Booking a visit at our Frisco, Texas, location is as simple as a quick phone call. You’re also welcome to browse our online booking page to find a time that works for you.