With the holiday season in full swing, party-goers and casual celebrants alike should be aware of the serious heart beats that are common during the most festive time of the year.
ABC News' Dr. Jen Ashton recently collapsed “Holiday Heart” We examine the causes of this potentially dangerous heart abnormality and effective ways to monitor your heart while enjoying the holiday season.
What is “Holiday Heart”?
Ashton said holiday heart syndrome is “known and observed.” phenomenonThe medical community says the incidence of arrhythmias tends to spike during the December holidays.
Holiday heart syndrome is characterized as “an electrical disturbance in the heart rhythm that occurs around the holidays in December,” Ashton said.
What contributes to the “holiday spirit”?
Ashton said the main cause of this seasonal heart syndrome is increased alcohol intake.
“It's not surprising [the] “No matter what kind of holiday you look at, you're going to see an increase in alcohol consumption during the December holiday season,” she said.
What is the best way to protect yourself from “holiday spirit”?
“It's really about keeping things in moderation,” Ashton said, citing alcohol as the biggest contributing factor to heart arrhythmias.
Another way to deal with the serious effects of the holidays on your heart is to understand the symptoms of arrhythmia. According to Ashton, one of the big symptoms to look out for is a pounding sensation in your chest.
Monitoring the “irregularly regular” heart rate is also an effective way to detect arrhythmias, Ashton said. To monitor irregular heartbeats, he places two fingers on the side of the neck, above the carotid artery, or in line with the thumb, covering the radial artery.
Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness should also be tracked in the monitoring process.
Are there any age groups that are more prone to arrhythmia?
“There are age groups that are generally more susceptible to arrhythmias…but this can happen to anyone,” Ashton says.
“You shouldn't think just because you're in your 20s, 30s or 40s that it's not a big deal,” she added.
What other heart conditions are my risk increased during the holiday season?
“I think it's also important to understand that the holiday season increases your risk for all types of heart disease,” Ashton says.
Heart attacks, strokes, and aortic dissections are among the many heart conditions that increase during the holiday season.
Ashton said the reason for this spike is likely related to stress, bad weather, increased eating and drinking, and lack of sleep, among several possible causes.
How to stay “mentally safe” during the holiday season
“There are some important general tips to keep your heart safe during the holiday season,” Ashton said.
Ashton emphasized the importance of having a sufficient supply of all prescription medications to stay healthy during the holidays.
“Emergency room and hospital staff don't take vacations, but pharmacies often have different holiday hours, and doctors and health care providers often have different holiday hours,” Ashton said.
Ashton also said it's important to have a “soft emergency plan in place” when traveling on vacation with a diagnosed heart condition.
Overall, Ashton recommended keeping your health habits regular. He said sleeping, eating a balanced diet and reducing stress are important for Ashton to stay consistent during the holidays.
