A University of Virginia cardiac physiologist warns that binge drinking during holidays can cause even young people with healthy hearts to lapse into dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities. Charles Fishburne reports.
Transcript:
Charles Fishburne: Holiday Heart Syndrome can be the result of stress, dehydration and binge drinking.
Dr. Pamela Mason: Because people do tend to imbibe more around the holidays particularly around New Years.
Fishburne: Dr.Pamela Mason, University of Virginia says it can cause symptoms like:
Dr. Mason: Palpitations, dizziness, light-headedness, chest tightness or even shortness of breath.
Fishburne: She says it can be dangerous even among perfectly healthy people.
Dr. Mason: Any patient who is having these symptoms should seek care in the emergency department.
Fishburne: Best way to avoid it?
Dr. Mason: Simply to keep the alcohol consumption to a more modest level.
Charles Fishburne, VPM News.