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What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie.

holiday heart

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie.

I think Holiday Heart IS the title of a Hallmark movie, but I'm referring to something more serious - the spike in emergencies around the holidays.

In medicine, holiday heart syndrome refers to an increase in abnormal heart rhythms around the holidays. 

Let's explore some factors that can lead to holiday heart syndrome, or other emergencies that uptick during the holiday season.

What Causes Holiday Heart Syndrome? 

Dietary Changes 

holiday heart syndrome ham
Think about your holiday menu. Do you often make the same foods that you've had growing up? 

They might not be the best options. Foods such as ham and canned goods can be high in sodium. 

Ingesting too much salt can lead to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. Consider serving an alternative, or providing a variety of options for yourself and guests.

Too Much Alcohol

People tend to drink more alcohol during the holiday season compared to other times of the year (alcohol.org). 

Drinking alcohol during the holiday season could be associated with "making spirits bright." OR it could be coping with feelings of loneliness, sadness or stress. 

Not only do people tend to drink more alcohol during the holiday season, but drinks tend to have higher alcohol content. Drinking more potent drinks can lead to making poor decisions with potentially deadly consequences.

Increased Stress

88% of Americans reported feeling stressed during the holiday season, according to Everlywell. Factors that increased stress included the ability to afford gifts, holiday shopping and cooking/baking. 

Holiday festivities piled on top of ongoing responsibilities such as caring for young children and/or aging parents also increase stress during the holiday season. 

holiday heart syndrome - stress

Not Enough Sleep

Sleep is essential to function. Many factors during the holiday season can lead to not getting enough sleep: working more, packed schedule, traveling and not sleeping in your usual environment. 

Too Much Caffeine

Indulging in more caffeine than usual could be a coping mechanism to deal with less sleep and a more demanding schedule. 

Perhaps on top of working more during the holiday season, you also need to stay up late to wrap gifts, and wake up early to start cooking a meal. 
holiday heart syndrome - caffeine

Medication Changes

Medication changes could be due to an altered schedule, forgetting to pack medications during travel, or simply forgetting to take them.
Keep medications on your person if you're flying. Don't skip doses of essential medications, and check for interactions with alcohol and other medications you take while traveling. 

For example, your doctor might prescribe an anxiolytic for flying, or you might take an over-the-counter sleep aid when staying outside your home. 

Use a pill box to avoid inadvertently skipping medications, or taking multiple doses (Amazon affiliate link - commissions earned). 
holiday heart syndrome - pill box

Close Quarters

The holiday season coincides with cold and flu season. Aforementioned factors such as increased stress and poor sleep can make you more vulnerable to infections.

It's not uncommon to bring home more than gifts and memories when you're hosting guests or visiting family, and everyone is mingling in close quarters. 

Cancel plans if you're not feeling well. Wash hands frequently, especially when eating and preparing foods. Cover your mouth if you're coughing or sneezing, and don't share eating and drinking utensils.

Summary

Holiday heart syndrome and other medical emergencies increase during the holiday season. The holiday season need not always look the same or be jam packed to be special. 

Look over your usual holiday menu with a critical eye, and consider switching it up. Be cautious of the amount and potency of alcoholic beverages you serve and consume.

Include downtime in your holiday schedule to reduce stress and prioritize rest, and don't consume too much caffeine. 

Be sure to pack and take your routine medications, and check for potential interactions with alcohol and non-routine medications. Finally, be wary of infectious diseases when celebrating in close quarters.

The holidays are hectic enough. No one has time for a medical emergency! Be safe while you celebrate this holiday season.


What's your favorite holiday tradition?

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  1. Sheenia DenaeDecember 3, 2023 at 5:41 AM

    I thought you were referring to a hallmark movie at first, because it IS one. LOL… This was a very interesting read. I’ve never heard of holiday heart syndrome. But this post sheds a lot of light on how stressful and impactful the holidays can be.

    ReplyDelete

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