Year-End Party Season Could Spike Your Heart Attack Risk, Doctors Sound Alarm

Year-end

celebrations are just around the corner with plans for meeting friends, indulgence, and revelry in full swing. However, doctors are sounding the alarm over a worrying trend – a spike in youngsters reporting heart-related issues, which include palpitations, blood pressure surge, and even symptoms of a heart attack, including chest pain. While cardiovascular issues are mostly considered to be a high risk for groups like the elderly and those with underlying health problems, of late changing diets and lifestyles have made many in their 30s and 40s 45 more prone to ending up in hospitals around Christmas and New Year's with a condition known as Holiday Heart Syndrome.

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome?

Also known as heart rhythm problem or atrial fibrillation, the Holiday Heart Syndrome can be triggered by heavy and binge drinking and eating during holidays or weekends, which can lead to symptoms like palpitations, breathlessness, and fatigue. According to doctors, the condition is mostly linked to alcohol's effects on heart cells, which causes irregular electrical signals, and while often resolving with abstinence, it highlights risks of excessive alcohol and junk food loaded with salt and saturated fats - requiring hydration and medical attention if symptoms persist or are severe. Experts say it also happens due to moving less and being stressed out – both emotionally and financially. Cold weather also causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing of blood vessels, which increases the risk of plaque rupture and the potential for a heart attack

What are the risk factors for holiday heart syndrome?

You can get holiday heart syndrome even if you do not have a heart condition. But you are more likely to get AFib from drinking alcohol if you:

• Have high blood pressure or hypertension
• Have an issue with your heart’s structure, like valves
• Have conditions that affect your heart, blood vessels, and energy use
• Are older than 65 years of age
• Are male and white
• Have sleep apnea
• Have diabetes
• Are obese

Ways to prevent Holiday Heart Syndrome

Holiday heart syndrome is preventable, as doctors remind us that moderation is the key when you celebrate. Expert recommends

Avoid binge-drinking

Avoid drinking too much

Overeating

Salty foods can dehydrate you, increasing blood pressure levels as well

Dehydration

Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water, especially if you are consuming alcohol or sugar drinks, to prevent dehydration

Manage stress levels

It is important to manage all kinds of holiday stressors, like finances and relationships, which you can do through meditation or breathing exercises

Prioritize adequate sleep

Sleep for around 7 to 8 hours to make sure you do not feel drained from partying and socialising

Exercise

Aim for at least 5,000 to 10,000 steps during the holiday to lower risk, while also burning some of the additional calories that you consume during holidays