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.

Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS) 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.

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.

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 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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