Holiday Heart Syndrome: What You Need to Know
Getty Images; Everyday Health
Note: While research on alcohol is evolving, the World Health Organization says that drinking less or not at all is better for your health.
With full social calendars and long to-do lists, it’s no surprise that alcohol consumption tends to increase around major holidays, particularly Christmas and New Year’s Eve. But those extra drinks can be hard on the body — and can even lead to a condition called holiday heart syndrome.
Holiday heart syndrome refers to an irregular heartbeat that can develop after an episode of binge drinking, which may lead to a heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation (afib).
Holiday heart syndrome typically occurs in people who do not have existing heart disease.
