Holidays Can Spell Danger for Heart Health

Emory University
Monday, 15 December 2003

How To Keep These Heartwarming Days Heart Healthy

The holidays are a time for feasting, partying and social drinking -- all enjoyable activities for most people, if done in moderation. However, if you get caught up in high-spirited revelry and forget the "moderation" part, you could be endangering your health. Instead, Emory Heart Center cardiologists say, take time to think about maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle this holiday season.

Excess toasting to the New Year and gobbling goodies may be partially to blame for the fact Americans are getting fatter. According to two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies, Americans are now heavier than ever --- and nearly a third are now classified as obese. "It is very common for people to gain several pounds this time of year and, unfortunately, those pounds rarely come off. That's troublesome because being overweight significantly raises the risk for heart disease and other chronic health problems including hypertension, diabetes and some forms of cancer," says Laurence Sperling, MD, Medical Director of Preventive Cardiology at Emory.

"However, there's no reason why you can't enjoy the festivities, including eating special foods . But you need to eat mindfully . That means being aware of how much you are eating and drinking," Dr. Sperling explains. " For example, you can taste everything but focus on smaller potions. Fill your buffet plate with fruits and vegetables first and you'll have less space for the higher calorie foods. By drinking less alcohol, you'll also be more likely to control your eating decisions."

Dr. Sperling also points out that your activity in the winter months can make a big difference in whether you gain weight or not." Make a plan to work more exercise into your holiday activities. That doesn't mean anything elaborate. Simply parking your car far from the mall door so you'll get in an extra walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work can help burn up extra calories and provide a cardiovascular workout. In fact, if you take a break from a party and walk around the block, you'll rev your metabolism and keep burning more calories for four to six hours afterwards."

Another potential danger for holiday revelers who drink to excess is Holiday Heart Syndrome. Marked by a very fast, irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, the disorder is most often associated with drinking excessively over a short period of time. According to cardiologist Douglas C. Morris, MD, Director of the Emory Heart Center, symptoms of Holiday Heart Syndrome include palpitations (the sensation the heart is racing or skipping beats), chest discomfort, shortness of breath and feeling faint.

"Typically, someone with Holiday Heart Syndrome has been drinking excessively for a few days and they present with atrial fibrillation, " Dr. Morris says. " When they stop drinking alcohol, their hearts may spontaneously go back into regular rhythm, or they may need to be cardioverted to the regular rhythm through medication or an electric shock."

Fortunately, Holiday Heart Syndrome is usually not a dangerous problem, but the rhythm disturbance can be a frightening -- and holiday disruptive -- experience that requires medical tests and treatment. "The best thing to do if you feel your heart beating rapidly and erratically is to go to an emergency department or urgent care center to have an electrocardiogram made to see what kind of rhythm disturbance you are experiencing," Dr. Morris says.

Those who overindulge in alcohol not only during the holidays but also on a regular basis need to understand they are risking irreversible heart damage, he adds. "Alcohol in large doses clearly has a toxic effect on the heat muscle and can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. The heart muscle becomes weak and doesn't contract well, " says Dr. Morris. "The best way to avoid serious alcohol related heart problems, as well as usually benign Holiday Heart Syndrome, is to drink alcohol in moderation, or not all."

Dr. Morris and Dr. Sperling add that pursuing a heart healthy lifestyle ---during the holidays and all year long --- involves recognizing that you may need help to get unhealthy habits such as overeating, lack of exercise, smoking and excess drinking under control. The Emory Heart Center offers INTERVENT USA, an individualized lifestyle management program which provides one-on-one counseling to help people reach their health goals. For more information, call 404-778-3331.

For more information, or to contact Emory University, see their website at: whsc.emory.edu