NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) — With the holidays wrapping up, doctors said they are expecting a spike in heart failure caused by stress as the year comes to an end.
The last week of December has the highest number of heart-disease related deaths, according to the American Heart Association.
The condition, called “holiday heart syndrome,” can be triggered by stress and overindulgence during the holiday season.
New Year’s Day has the third most cardiac deaths in the country, only behind Christmas and the day after Christmas.
What is holiday heart syndrome?
Holiday heart syndrome causes heart palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pressure. It can last for 24 to 48 hours.
Dr. Iva Smolens, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) said the heart can jump well beyond the normal number of beats per minute during an episode.
“You could be sitting still and you feel like you’re running a marathon because all of a sudden your heart rate jumps up to about 160 or 180 beats per minute, which is almost twice what normal is,” Smolens said.
The syndrome can have lasting effects beyond the initial episode.
“Holiday heart syndrome by definition is self-limited to 24 or 48 hours, but it can put somebody into more permanent atrial fibrillation and that does have some long-term effects for some people,” she said. “They might have the sensation of a rapid heart rate or an irregular heart rate, but atrial fibrillation… can actually lead to strokes. People can get clots inside their heart.”
Holiday triggers and prevention
Doctors said many feel extra stress around the holidays due to extra stress from spending money, planning family events and overindulging in food and alcohol.
While some attacks are hereditary, many people can have abnormal heart rhythms triggered by holiday stress or losing their medication routine.
Chelsey Knight, a nurse practitioner at HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital, said dietary choices during the holidays can worsen heart conditions.
“People end up in congestive heart failure because they’re eating foods that are higher in sodium, eating bigger portions, eating more sweets and it ends up putting them into heart failure where they retain fluid and then they end up having to go in the hospital,” Knight said.
Knight said emotions can also heighten stress during the holidays.
“A lot of times, the holidays are very emotional for people, for loved ones that have passed away or just, you know, major life events that have happened over the years and, you know, maybe you’re alone for the holidays,” Knight said. “There’s a lot of cardiac events that happen and I think it’s mainly related to the stress from everything that’s happening all at once.”
Health experts said it is important for people to watch what they eat, especially around this time. Doctors recommend five to 10 minutes of breathing exercises and taking time and self-care to strengthen hearts during stressful periods.
Doctors at both hospitals said to be responsible with alcohol consumption. Binge-drinking in a short period can cause dehydration. If this happens, people are recommended to drink electrolytes to rehydrate as an extra precaution.
When to seek help
Officials at both Trident Hospital and MUSC said many people avoid the hospital during the holidays, even when they need it most.
Doctors said not to wait to call 911 or to contact health officials if you experience symptoms including chest pain, extreme fatigue or a racing heart.
Doctors also said they recommend scheduling a heart check-up after the holidays.
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