Abuse of alcoholic beverages has a detrimental effect on the functioning of our heart, in particular, holiday table syndrome may develop. He spoke about this in his telegram channel cardiologist Alexey Utin.
What is Holiday Heart Syndrome?
According to the doctor, holiday heart syndrome (or HSS) is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
“This disorder is most often an attack of atrial fibrillation. Although other rhythm disturbances are possible. The reason is the toxic effect of alcohol and its metabolites (acetaldehyde) on the cells of the heart muscle,” explained Utin.
Risk factors for SPS include hypertension, obesity, and sleep apnea.
What is atrial fibrillation and why is it dangerous?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by rapid and erratic atrial contractions. At first, a person experiences short attacks of arrhythmia, which become longer over time.
Such a disturbance in the functioning of the heart poses a serious danger to human health. The risk of dementia and heart failure increases, the cardiologist emphasized. But the main complication of atrial fibrillation is the formation of a blood clot in the atrium, which can “fly” to the brain and cause, for example, a massive stroke.
“At the first sudden development of an attack of AF, it is recommended to be hospitalized as quickly as possible in an intensive care unit for electrical or pharmacological cardioversion – restoration of heart rhythm. If more than 48 hours have passed since the onset of the attack, and the person is not taking anticoagulants, then before restoring the rhythm, you should make sure that a blood clot has not formed in the atrial appendage – when contractions of the atrium and appendage are restored, the clot can fly into the bloodstream and cause a massive stroke,” warned Alexey Utin.
According to the doctor, every fourth person experiences this attack of MA again within a year.
What other symptoms are typical of holiday heart syndrome?
Cardiologist Utin lists symptoms characteristic of SPS as:
- sudden palpitations the next day after drinking alcohol;
- feeling that the heart is “jumping out of the chest”;
- or the feeling that it is “beating like a bird in a cage”;
- sudden loss of strength, weakness;
- shortness of breath;
- sudden pain in the chest.
At the same time, the symptoms of holiday heart syndrome, as a rule, do not appear immediately, but only the next day after a stormy feast, the doctor notes. In no case should they be ignored, because “for the formation of a blood clot, it is important how long a person will “flicker.” That is why in case of SPS it is necessary to call an ambulance as soon as possible, the doctor concluded.
Source: aif.ru
