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Holiday Heart syndrome/atrial fibrillation

About 4 weeks ago I had a very excessive amount of vodka over Friday and Saturday night. As a result I ended up in hospital on the Sunday afternoon where they confirmed that a sudden harder and more rapid heartbeat that I couldn't control was a result of this binge drinking. After monitoring my heart rate for about an hour, a chest x-ray and a blood test they let me go home and advised I practice moderation in the future. After 48 hours or so my rhythm returned to normal.

I would just like to know if this condition is something the heart becomes sensitive to after it reacts to alcohol this way or if it is merely an indication that you have had too much. Although I have become more sensible since and more aware of the alcohol I consume as well as giving up spirits completely I resent the idea I have now that I should be scared of going out for a drink for fear of setting my heart off as only being in my early 20's on the weekend I like to go out and enjoy myself but at the same time am obviously concerned about the health of my heart.
Any information on this would be appreciated. Thanks :)
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Avatar universal
Based on what you describe, it sounds as if your fast heart rate was associated with a session of heavy alcohol intake which your doctors attributed to Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS). The abnormal heart rhythms in HHS originate from the top chambers of the heart usually and generally will occur after high alcohol consumption but in some people will occur with moderate amounts of alcohol.
In people with HHS, an echocardiogram is a useful test to ensure that the heart and its chambers are structurally normal. Because thyroid disease can also cause an unusually high heart rate, checking thyroid function is recommended.
Because it is impossible to predict how much alcohol will act as a trigger and cause another attack of HHS, some physicians recommend avoiding alcohol completely once you have had HHS. Admittedly though, it is a very tough call. Once you have had your echocardiogram done, discuss your alcohol limits with your doctor.
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Avatar universal
My mother had this happen to her as well. And she was just 60, but almost totally destroyed all the strength of her heart. She was told if she drank again she would die. She eventually had to have a Defibulator put in & she is in Afib 24/7 they will never be able to get her out of it, that is the reason for the Defibulator so if it goes too high (they set it at what they think is too high), it kicks as we call it. She says its like being kicked in the chest my a horse? She takes about 10 different heart or heart related pills everyday, but she is alive which is all that matters.She has to check her blood levels monthly & electronically sent them in so her Coumadin levels stay where they are suppose to be. Its been a rough 4 years, but I think, hope under control now. Hopefully that gives a little more insight as we as well had NEVER heard or knew such a thing existed. It was perfect that the doctor that saw her in the Hospital actually had it happen to him after a vacation to Texas & drank for 3 days straight
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Avatar universal
I had the same thing happen to me.  On a Saturday morning after a few nights straight of heavy drinking, ended up at the ER w/ a Holdiday Heart diagnosis.  I also had no idea that anything other than liver implications could result from drinking too much.  It's now been almost 5 months for me and I've not drank a drop since my Holiday Heart episode.  I'm quite a bit older than you though (33) and I really needed to cut back on my drinking anyways.  I guess the doctors have the final say as to whether you should quit drinking completely or not.  Mine told me I should but, like I said, I'm also older and was drinking way too much.

From what I've been told, the biggest concern is that Afib is a progressive condition in that each time you have it, it usually lasts longer and is tougher to get back to NSR.  Everybody's different though, I think some people have it once and then never again but I believe it's far more commom for it to recur with greater frequency after it's happened once.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, it came as a shock to me I only thought the Liver was sensitive to it in the long run. I never realised the heart can react to it so quickly. Really shook me up at the time.
And once I tried doing some research (typical internet) the first thing I saw was Heart attack/stroke, if experienced avoid alcohol entirely which sounded a bit over the top.
Helpful - 0
84483 tn?1289937937
Moderation , a few beers or 2 mixed drinks shouldn't hurt you, but the heart in general is very sensitive to alcohol, but I love a few beers nearly everyday myself!
Helpful - 0

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