Holiday heart syndrome
Encyclopedia
Holiday heart syndrome is an irregular heartbeat pattern presented in individuals who are otherwise healthy. It can be the result of stress, dehydration, and drinking. Sometimes associated with binge drinking
, the condition can also occur when individuals consume only moderate amounts of alcohol.
Irregular heartbeats are very serious. If palpitations continue for longer than a few hours patients should seek medical attention. Atrial fibrillation
is the most common arrhythmia in holiday heart syndrome and can result in very serious consequences such as stroke
, but a variety of changes in the intervals and morphology of the EKG may occur. All symptoms usually resolve themselves within 24 hours.
It is defined as "arrhythmias of the heart
, sometimes apparent after a vacation
or weekend away from work, following excessive alcohol
consumption; usually transient". The term was coined in 1978.
The syndrome is widely known and commonly occurs in South Africa. Global soccer events tend to influence the number of reported Holiday Heart cases.
Binge drinking
Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide,...
, the condition can also occur when individuals consume only moderate amounts of alcohol.
Irregular heartbeats are very serious. If palpitations continue for longer than a few hours patients should seek medical attention. Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia . It is a common cause of irregular heart beat, identified clinically by taking a pulse. Chaotic electrical activity in the two upper chambers of the heart result in the muscle fibrillating , instead of achieving coordinated contraction...
is the most common arrhythmia in holiday heart syndrome and can result in very serious consequences such as stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, but a variety of changes in the intervals and morphology of the EKG may occur. All symptoms usually resolve themselves within 24 hours.
It is defined as "arrhythmias of the heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
, sometimes apparent after a vacation
Annual leave
Annual leave is paid time off work granted by employers to employees to be used for whatever the employee wishes. Depending on the employer's policies, differing number of days may be offered, and the employee may be required to give a certain amount of advance notice, may have to coordinate with...
or weekend away from work, following excessive alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
consumption; usually transient". The term was coined in 1978.
The syndrome is widely known and commonly occurs in South Africa. Global soccer events tend to influence the number of reported Holiday Heart cases.