Do You Have "Holiday Heart"? It's Not as Cute as It Sounds
This sounds like a Hallmark movie, but it's a serious medical condition: Have you heard the term "holiday heart"?
It's when too much drinking causes A-fib, an irregular heartbeat where your heart feels like it's fluttering.
It's called that because it's more common this time of year. But it can also happen after a single weekend of binge-drinking.
Experts have known about it since the '70s. The technical term is "alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmia." Stress, overeating, and being dehydrated can also cause it. So the holidays are like a perfect storm.
The good news is it's usually temporary, and the flutter goes away if you hydrate and limit your drinking. But it CAN be serious, so it's best to get it checked out.
You're more likely to have a heart attack or stroke when A-fib persists and isn't treated.
Originally posted on December 18th, 2024