This link between excessive alcohol consumption and heart problems was first identified by Dr Philip Ettinger and his team in 1978 after they noted 24 patients were admitted to hospital with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) following a weekend of heavy drinking.
HHS typically occurs following heavy drinking sessions that involve consuming at least 15 units – equivalent to around seven and a half pints of 4% beer or one and a half bottles of 13% wine – within a single day.
The phenomenon known as "holiday heart syndrome" (HHS) highlights how binge drinking during weekends and holidays can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, which are irregularities in the heartbeat.
It essentially means that the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) experience a fluttering or twitching motion (fibrillation), preventing the heart from maintaining efficient blood circulation.
Boozing isn't the only culprit behind Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS), with experts now warning that caffeine, fatty and salty meals, and stress can also set off the condition.
