SOUTH CAPE NEWS - If you’re planning on partying it up this holiday season with champers, wine and beer on tap, beware of a serious complication, known as Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS), which can cause palpitations and irregular heart arrhythmias.
Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics describes HHS as a condition which typically occurs during the holidays when people who don’t suffer from heart disease, experience irregular heart rhythms following heavy alcohol consumption.
“The effect of alcohol on the heart generally depends on your age, health, the volume and the pattern of your drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption over time can increase your risk of stroke, weaken the heart muscle and render it less efficient at pumping blood to vital organs.
"Blood pressure also increases with each standard alcoholic drink, which contains roughly 10 to 16g of alcohol depending on the liquor of your choice."
"HHS is typically associated with the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time and can cause acute cardiovascular effects such as heartbeat irregularities, shortness of breath and chest pain.
"The effects are reversible if you stop drinking or greatly reduce the amount you consume, but it’s best to see a doctor who will check for a dangerous drop in blood pressure or signs of acute heart failure,” she advises.
Most of the irregular heart rhythms associated with HHS are atrial in nature.
Atrial fibrillation or AF (when you experience heart palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath) is the most common, but atrial flutter (a fast heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute) and ventricular ectopy (when your heart skips a beat) are also common.
“When the heart develops a rhythm like atrial fibrillation, the atria stop contracting in unison, which decreases the amount of blood moving through the heart.
Sensible drinking
According to the National Department of Health (NDoH), women should limit their alcohol intake to two drinks a day and men should preferably call it quits after the third glass.
It’s equally important to keep tabs on the amount of alcohol you consume, which can vary from drink to drink.
Help your heart survive
• Limit your alcohol intake, especially if you have congenital heart disease or have an increased risk of heart disease as a result of obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or hypertension.
• Don’t overeat during the holidays either and try to reduce your salt intake.
• Lay low on coffee, energy drinks and fizzy drinks.
• Avoid stress by exercising, meditating and getting enough sleep.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• When at a party be sure to eat something before taking alcohol and remember to drink enough water in between drinks since alcohol strips water from the body.
ARTICLE: MEROPA COMMUNICATIONS
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