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MURRAY — It's a time to eat, drink, and be merry, but experts are warning us about overdoing it, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption.
The number of cardiac events increases by 25% during the holidays. In fact, studies show that more people die from heart attacks between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 than any other time of year.
This increase is mainly attributed to "holiday heart syndrome" — an irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, known as AFib, connected to excessive drinking.
What can trigger A-fib, and other holiday risk factors
Alcohol, stress, and overeating can all trigger A-fib, which happens when the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat out of sync. Other risk factors for this "holiday heart" can include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking and physical inactivity.
Watch for symptoms like palpitations or a fluttering sensation in your chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue, and avoid binge drinking and overeating — the biggest contributors to holiday heart syndrome.
And listen to your body — it's better to be safe and consult your doctor than just attribute your symptoms to stress.
The bottom line: If you are experiencing any symptoms, don't delay care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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