In this episode we explore the less cheery side of the holidays: holiday heart syndrome. This syndrome is defined as irregular heartbeats that occur as a result of binge drinking, the type of which is frequently seen around the holidays. We explore the risks, outcomes, mechanics, and treatments of this not-so-happy heart syndrome.

References:

Jain, A., Yelamanchili, V. S., Brown, K. N., & Goel, A. (2024). Holiday heart syndrome. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537185/

World Health Organization. (January 4, 2023). No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. [Website, accessed November 18, 2025]. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

Esser, M. B. (2024). Deaths from excessive alcohol use—United States, 2016–2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73.https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7308a1.htm

Yan, J., Thomson, J. K., Zhao, W., Gao, X., Huang, F., Chen, B., ... & Ai, X. (2018). Role of stress kinase JNK in binge alcohol-evoked atrial arrhythmia. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 71(13), 1459-1470. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5903584/

Yan, J., & Ai, X. (2022). Holiday heart syndrome, atrial fibrillation, and RyR2 antagonist. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 80(5), 636-638. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10508393/