12/24/2025
The holidays often mean later nights, richer food, and a few more drinks than usual. For most people, that’s part of the season. But for some, all that celebrating can lead to something called holiday heart syndrome—and it’s more common than many realize.
Holiday heart syndrome is a temporary heart rhythm problem that often shows up in the days after holidays like Christmas or New Year’s. Doctors regularly see a spike in people coming to the emergency room with irregular heartbeats during this time. What’s surprising is that it often happens in people who have never had heart trouble before.
The biggest trigger is drinking more alcohol than your body is used to, even over just a day or two. Alcohol can irritate the heart and cause it to beat fast or irregularly. Add dehydration, salty foods, stress, and poor sleep, and the heart can get knocked off rhythm.
People may notice a fluttering or racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest discomfort, or unusual fatigue. Some describe it as feeling like their heart is skipping beats. These symptoms can be unsettling, especially if they come out of nowhere.
In many cases, the heart rhythm returns to normal within 24 to 48 hours once alcohol intake stops and the body gets rest and fluids. Even so, it shouldn’t be ignored. If symptoms last, or if you have chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath, seek medical care right away.
The good news is that holiday heart syndrome is often preventable. Spacing out alcoholic drinks, alternating with water, eating regular meals, and getting enough sleep can go a long way.
Enjoy the holidays—but remember that moderation helps your heart enjoy them too.
