- Holiday heart syndrome describes cardiac arrhythmias like AFib that are associated with heavy drinking during the holidays or any short period of time.
- “Binge” drinking is generally defined as a heavy drinking pattern that brings your blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.
- Experts warn that excessive alcohol consumption can affect heart rate and overall heart health.
The holidays are often a time to gather and celebrate with loved ones — but the season can also be a source of stress.
To cope, for better or worse, many people may resort to heavy drinking.
A 2025 review found that around 53% of individuals in the United States regularly consume alcohol, with 44% engaging in occasional “binge” drinking.
Whether your drinking habits are simply to make merry or there’s underlying family stress or tension, drinking too much over a shorter timeframe can be harmful to heart health.
“Holiday heart syndrome” describes how heavy or “binge” drinking over the holidays can affect heart function.
Heavy drinking is associated with cardiac arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm. This means the heart beats faster, slower, or irregularly.
The effects of holiday heart syndrome can be seen in anyone, even those who rarely or never consume alcohol, but participate in heavy drinking on occasion.
Abnormal heart rhythms caused by heavy drinking can also occur in those without a pre-existing heart condition.
The term “holiday heart syndrome” was first described in medical literature in 1978.
Researchers explained the prevalence of cardiac rhythm disorders associated with heavy drinking that frequently occurred during the holidays.
“Episodes usually followed heavy weekend or holiday sprees, resulting in hospitalization between Sunday and Tuesday or in proximity to the year-end holidays, a relationship not observed in other alcohol-associated illnesses,” the researchers wrote.
A 2021 study found that 56% of subjects experienced at least one episode of atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common form of arrhythmia, after consuming more than one drink of alcohol.
The effects of heavy drinking, whether on weekends or around the holidays, are often short-lived.
However, a
“Anything to excess is not a good thing,” said Nicholas Skipitaris, MD, Western Regional Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Northwell Health.
“The advice that we give our patients for everything from alcohol to caffeine to supplemental vitamins to exercise is ‘everything in moderation’ is a good rule to follow. You can overdo it. Holiday heart syndrome is something that illustrates that very well,” Skipitaris told Healthline.
Alcohol has a direct effect on heart health and heart rhythm.
Drinking impacts both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, in addition to many other functions in the body, which have the potential to induce cardiac arrhythmia or AFib.
“Any time the muscle of the heart is affected, the electrical system of the heart, which is built into the muscle cells of the heart, can also be affected,” Skipitaris said.
Be that as it may, holiday heart syndrome isn’t typically dangerous or life threatening.
While it may be disconcerting to notice a rapid heart rate or skipped beat, without the presence of other symptoms or a previous history of heart problems, it is likely to resolve on its own.
“People may develop some extra beats or some little palpitations if they’re otherwise feeling OK — hopefully that gets better within a 24-hour period,” Skipitaris said.
“The most important thing from my perspective is don’t keep doing what you’re doing if you’re not feeling well.”
Still, there are cases in which alcohol-related heart arrhythmia or AFib should be taken seriously. You should seek immediate medical care if abnormal heart rhythms are accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- loss of consciousness
Heart arrhythmias are associated with more serious complications, including
“Not only is arrhythmia part of holiday heart syndrome, but [so is] heart failure,” Skipitaris said.
“So [holiday heart] can also be associated with poor pumping function of the heart, where you develop heart failure and the blood is not being pumped through the body the way it’s supposed to and you can become short of breath,” he explained.
These are, however, the most severe cases that can result from holiday heart syndrome.
The vast majority of holiday heart cases will resolve with abstinence from alcohol. However, it’s essential to monitor your heart rhythms to avoid recurrence and stay up-to-date with regular health screenings, especially if you have an underlying heart condition.
“If there is an abrupt change in how you’re feeling or if you’re at all concerned [and think] ‘oh gosh this doesn’t feel right to me,’ it’s always better to err on the side of having a professional take a look at you,” Skipitaris said.
Generally, experts agree that there is no “safe” amount of alcohol for health.
This is especially true for preventing AFib and other arrhythmias. Typically, medical experts will encourage limiting or avoiding alcohol.
If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s best to avoid heavy or binge drinking patterns, especially over the holidays.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
This equates to approximately 4 or more drinks for females or 5 or more drinks for males within a 2-hour period.
A standard drink is any beverage that contains at least 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol.
Current guidelines for moderate drinking are 1 drink a day or less for females and 1 drink per day or less for males. Some experts argue that these amounts may still be higher than what is considered healthy, which is to abstain altogether.
The best way to prevent holiday heart syndrome would be to steer clear of binge drinking.
Moderation or abstinence is key, as is staying hydrated, getting quality sleep, stress management, and engaging in regular physical activity.
There are other, healthier ways to celebrate the holiday season and cope with holiday stress if needed.