This content is in French.
Holiday Heart: when alcohol takes control of the heart’s rhythm
21 janvier 2026
By Ana Espino | Published on January 21, 2026 | 3 min readHoliday Heart Syndrome (HHS) refers to the sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) or other arrhythmias in people with no known heart disease. It often occurs after excessive alcohol consumption, particularly during holidays or long weekends.AF is a common and potentially serious arrhythmia. It increases the risk of blood clots, stroke and
By Ana Espino | Published on January 21, 2026 | 3 min read
Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS) refers to the sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) or other arrhythmias in people with no known heart disease. It often occurs after excessive alcohol consumption, particularly during holidays or long weekends.
AF is a common and potentially serious arrhythmia. It increases the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure. In HHS, it occurs in young or healthy individuals, which can delay diagnosis. The link with alcohol is sometimes misidentified, as the symptoms (palpitations, shortness of breath, general discomfort) can be attributed to other causes.
Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS) refers to the sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) or other arrhythmias in people with no known heart disease. It often occurs after excessive alcohol consumption, particularly during holidays or long weekends.
AF is a common and potentially serious arrhythmia. It increases the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure. In HHS, it occurs in young or healthy individuals, which can delay diagnosis. The link with alcohol is sometimes misidentified, as the symptoms (palpitations, shortness of breath, general discomfort) can be attributed to other causes.
Sign in to read the rest
Reserved for healthcare professionals, free registration.
Scientific reference
Alvarado, J. D., et al. (2025). Holiday Heart Syndrome: A Literature Review. Cureus, 17(2)
View the source
