If you’ve recently been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), you may feel a bit nervous about the upcoming holidays. After all, from late November to early January, most people enjoy rich, decadent foods more frequently along with increased alcohol consumption.
Could those feasts be a danger to your heart?
At both locations of Pinnacle Healthcare System in Pembroke Pines and Hollywood, Florida, our providers recommend all patients, including those with arrhythmias, follow an appropriate, varied, and nutritious diet.
We also have some suggestions for navigating your options this holiday season.
Researchers use the phrase “holiday heart syndrome” to describe the uptick in cardiac arrhythmias they see on weekends and holidays — when people tend to engage in binge drinking. Even people who don’t usually drink may be vulnerable to arrhythmias if they binge drink.
Alcohol is a trigger of AFib, whether or not you have been diagnosed with the condition. This means that if you’ve had episodes in the past, alcohol can make it much more likely you will again.
We recommend limiting how much alcohol you consume and monitoring your symptoms when you do drink. If you notice that alcohol is a trigger for you, the safest course of action is eliminating it.
If you’re overweight, you may experience fewer episodes of AFib if you reach a healthier weight. Excess fat is linked to higher levels of inflammation and more episodes of arrhythmia.
One meal won’t affect your weight, but a whole season of overeating certainly could. If you track calories, continue to do so during the holidays. You shouldn’t skip an important meal, but you should aim for moderation most days.
It’s also not a good idea to skip a meal if you overindulge. Simply try to get back to your regular healthy habits as quickly as you can.
If weight is an issue for you, discuss it with your provider at Pinnacle Healthcare System, as we have obesity medicine specialists who may be able to help you.
Staying hydrated is important for everyone, but even more so if you have AFib. Dehydration can be a trigger. Consuming enough water and fluids throughout the day can also help you maintain healthy levels of potassium and magnesium, electrolytes that are crucial for heart health.
The combination of a nutritious diet and sufficient hydration is a good way to limit the likelihood of an episode of arrhythmia and to positively affect your overall health.
If you’re worried about the healthiest way to approach the holidays with all of its indulgence and feasting, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. We can offer you guidance based on your specific situation so you can celebrate and enjoy the season without worry.
