Holiday heart syndrome

Holiday heart syndrome, also known as alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmias, is a syndrome defined by an irregular heartbeat associated with high levels of ethanol consumption. Holiday heart syndrome was discovered in 1978 when Philip Ettinger discovered the connection between arrythmia and alcohol consumption. It received its common name as it is associated with the binge drinking common during the holidays. It is unclear how common this syndrome is. 5-10% of cases of atrial fibrillation may be related to this condition, but it could be as high 63%. Cardiologists are unsure exactly what causes Holiday heart syndrome. The ingestion of alcohol may slow down the Cardiac conduction system, which is an important system for managing the Circulatory system. It may also shorten the refractory period of the atrium. Another possibility is that alcohol consumption increases the level of catecholamines, which increased the level of P-waves, and therefore the risk of arrythmia. Alcohol intake can also lead to a rise in plasma free fatty acids and an increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. An ATP2A2 enhancer known as JNK2 may play a role. Alcohol may activate it, which can effect other proteins therefore increasing the risk of arrythmia. Heavy consumption of alcohol may lead to an increased level of ethanol and metabolites such as acetaldehyde inside of the body. All of these factors can contribute to arrythymia. Drinking large quantities of alcohol or caffeine, eating fatty foods with salt, heightened levels of stress, and dehydration are all risk factors for the development of this syndrome. HHS can appear in people who do not usually drink. Often these people who rarely drink may engage in an episode of heavy alcohol consumption and develop it as soon as they drink, others contract it 12–36 hours following the time of intoxication. Usually patients with this disorder lack any family history or previous clinical evidence of cardiological problems. The most common symptoms people with HHS have are heart palpitations and arrhythmia.