2023-11-19 07:05:00
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Heart disease caused by excessive drinking… There is no safe amount of alcohol
As the year-end and New Year holidays approach, many meetings and appointments occur and drinking parties inevitably arise. Although it may be a welcome situation for drinkers to have the opportunity to drink alcohol that they had been putting off, there are also health risks to be aware of. It is a disease called ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS)’. Holiday heart syndrome is characterized by the development of cardiac abnormalities, including arrhythmias, following excessive alcohol consumption in the absence of known heart disease. The most common arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, but other arrhythmias may also occur. This is a temporary condition that often resolves within 24 hours once the effects of the alcohol wear off. However, these symptoms may be associated with more serious heart-related loss of consciousness or sudden death in people with vulnerable health conditions.
ⓒSisa Journal Lim Jun-seon
Alcohol is toxic to the heart muscle
Although the pathological mechanisms of holiday heart syndrome are not yet fully understood, there are several reasons why excessive alcohol consumption may cause arrhythmia. First, there may be a direct effect on the heart muscle. Alcohol has a direct toxic effect on heart muscle cells, which can cause damage to heart muscle cells, leading to decreased myocardial function and arrhythmia.
Second is electrolyte imbalance. Excessive drinking can cause changes in essential electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. Electrolytes are important for maintaining the heart’s normal electrical activity, and imbalances in these electrolytes can cause arrhythmias. Third is autonomic imbalance. Alcohol consumption can disrupt the balance between the sympathetic nervous system, which is primarily active when you are nervous, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which is active when you are at rest. These balance disorders can increase heart rate and cause arrhythmias. Fourth, binge drinking can increase catecholamines, stress hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to arrhythmia.
The most common symptom of holiday heart syndrome is palpitations, or the perception of your heart beating rapidly. Patients may feel their heartbeat is irregular, and sometimes experience chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These symptoms usually appear within a few hours following drinking too much, and in most cases disappear naturally within 24 hours. However, because the course may differ depending on whether there are signs of acute alcoholism or the state of consciousness, etc., the prognosis may vary depending on the severity.
The prognosis for holiday heart syndrome varies greatly depending on whether there is an underlying heart condition. In addition, as mentioned earlier, there are many cases of spontaneous improvement, but caution is required as 20 to 30% of cases show arrhythmia recurrence within 12 months. The most important complications of holiday heart syndrome are, of course, life-threatening severe arrhythmias and chronic, persistent atrial fibrillation. It can also cause heart problems that reduce heart function, such as heart failure. It is known to cause thromboembolism, which often creates blood clots associated with atrial fibrillation, leading to stroke or systemic thromboembolism, which can lead to death.
Holiday heart syndrome does not affect everyone, but if you have experienced a similar condition before, there are some things to keep in mind. There is no ‘safe amount of alcohol’ that does not cause symptoms. And if you have an underlying heart disease, it would be a good idea to refrain from excessive drinking or binge drinking during holidays and the year-end and New Year holidays.
© Sisa Journal Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
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#holiday #heart #syndrome #오윤환의 #느낌표 #건강
