Holiday Heart Syndrome

Alcohol enjoys widespread popularity in Western societies, with a prevalent belief that moderate consumption may confer cardioprotective benefits. Nevertheless, the adverse effects of excessive alcohol intake on cardiovascular health are well-documented .

The term "holiday heart syndrome" (HHS) is used to describe the manifestation of cardiac arrhythmias following a period of binge drinking, often observed during weekends and holidays. This association between cardiac arrhythmias and binge drinking was originally introduced by Ettinger et al., who observed 24 patients getting hospitalized with atrial fibrillation after engaging in a weekend binge of alcohol consumption. Subsequent research has demonstrated that HHS can also occur in individuals who rarely or never consume alcohol but occasionally engage in binge drinking.