By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Heartbreaker is a common name shared by several songs released over the years. Two of the most famous are those performed by Pat Benatar in 1979 and Dionne Warwick in 1982. Pat Benatar has sold over 35 million albums and has won 4 Grammy Awards. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November of 2022. Dionne Warwick’s song Heartbreaker was on her 1982 album by the same name. Her song was written by the Bee Gees, who later released their own version in 1994. Dionne won six Grammys and is the second-most charted female during the rock era. Interestingly, she served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. 

So, why the talk about heartbreak during the most wonderful time of the year?

Early in my pharmacy career, I was working Christmas Day in the hospital emergency room. We had a patient come in with a heart condition and the physician’s diagnosis was holiday heart. At first, I thought the physician was making a joke because we were both working a holiday, but then I realized he was serious. 

Yes, there is such a thing as holiday heart or holiday heart syndrome. It was first identified by Dr. Philip Ettinger in 1978 to describe a heart condition involving a change in heart rhythm in healthy people without preexisting heart disease. 

Holiday heart is when the heart starts to beat in an abnormal fashion and goes out of normal rhythm. The heart could beat too fast or hard and can feel like it is fluttering or jumping out of the chest. The heart could skip beats or have a very low pace (slow heart beat). This change in heart rhythm can result in weakness, anxiety, fainting, sweating, shortness of breath or chest pain. 

What causes holiday heart?

The number one risk factor is alcohol consumption related to drinking more than the individual’s usual or normal amount. The holidays can often be an invitation to a party or a meal where alcohol is served. It could just be the traditional eggnog with a spirit such as bourbon, rum, whiskey or brandy. In those who drink alcohol on a more regular basis, they may drink more during the holidays. The increase in alcohol consumption is a contributing factor for the heart to beat abnormally. 

A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine reported 35% of new cases of atrial fibrillation (a fast and abnormal rhythm of the heart) was attributed to alcohol use. In addition, the study found 63% of the cases of atrial fibrillation in those under 65 years of age was due to alcohol. If these abnormal rhythms are not treated, they can result in heart attacks, strokes, and an enlarged heart muscle known as cardiomyopathy.   

Other risk factors include too much caffeine, overeating, increased salt intake with holiday meals, stress and cold weather, which can increase the strain on the heart. Studies have documented it is more related to a shift in temperature from warm to cold, then sustained cold. Another factor reported is dehydration not only from alcohol, but not being conscious of drinking plenty of water during the holidays. 

The American Heart Association reports the most heart-related deaths occur on Christmas. More than any other day of the year. The second highest day is December 26. The third highest is New Year’s Day on January 1. More heart attacks occur in the United States between Christmas and New Year’s Day than any other week of the year.

Another concern at the holidays is individuals who are experiencing symptoms of a heart problem will delay emergency care because they do not want to ruin a family event. It is important to seek care as soon as symptoms start, because minutes matter when treating a heart condition. Time is critical for saving heart tissue!

Symptoms of a heart attack may present the same or can be different from an abnormal heart rhythm. Any chest pain, chest pressure or discomfort lasting for more than a few minutes or goes away but comes back should be considered. Sometimes with large holiday meals this could be attributed to heartburn or indigestion. If an acid reduction pill like famotidine (Pepcid or Zantac) or an antacid (Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta), does not relieve the indigestion then seek medical help. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, nausea or vomiting, or feeling light-headed or dizzy. Go to the emergency room!

Women do not always display the classic chest pain signs seen in men having a heart attack. Women’s signs can be subtle and more easily ignored. Women are more likely to have back pain, indigestion, dizzy spells and extreme fatigue (tiredness) compared to men. Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women.

It is important to take care of your heart during the holidays! Celebrate the holidays without developing a holiday heart! Talk to your healthcare provider for more information on heart health. 

Happy Holidays from the ONU HealthWise team.

ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 vaccines as well as flu shots Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are available. Clinics are Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Please call the pharmacy for more information. 

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784