They say you are strong when you know your weaknesses. If you are dealing with a long-term diagnosis like atrial fibrillation, knowledge is your greatest tool. The key to living and thriving with Afib is to find out more about your heart.
What makes it tick?
What could trigger an episode of fibrillation?
How much can you push yourself; without going overboard?
Dealing with atrial fibrillation can be overwhelming at first, but once you know what you need to, it becomes much simpler.
Read our previous article – 5 Things You Should Know about Atrial Fibrillation (ref. link), so you can learn how to recognise the signs of Afib early on, as well as how to manage symptoms after receiving a diagnosis.
Treatment options in Atrial Fibrillation
Once Afib has been diagnosed, the manner in which it is managed (ref. link) is very clear. Your doctor will try to reset your heart rhythm and control the heart rate to prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes. This may be done with oral medications, like beta-blockers or anti-arrhythmic drugs, along with blood thinners. Doctors may also try to reset the heart back to its normal rhythm with cardioversion, which is done by sending electric shocks to the heart tissue using small paddles or electrodes on the chest.
In certain severe cases, cardiologists may recommend surgical procedures like cardiac ablation, which uses heat from radiofrequency energy, or cryoablation which uses extreme cold to create scars in the heart tissue. This blocks the abnormal electrical impulses and restores a regular heartbeat, sometimes with the help of a pacemaker.
While a diagnosis of heart arrhythmias can shake things up, with the right plan in place, you can live a life BIGGER than Afib!
Here are 6 ways to learn to live safely and live well with Atrial Fibrillation.
First off, Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots in the heart. Below we list some treatments that can help you handle atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation symptoms.
1. Know your medication and stroke risk.
Atrial fibrillationincreases the risk of stroke (ref. link) by 5 times, and AFib-related strokes are 2.5 times more likely to be fatal. Medicines like oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) can reduce the risk of stroke by 64% and the risk of death by 26% in those with Afib. These medicines do have side effects such as an increased tendency to bleed when hurt.
2. Eat Smart for a Healthy Heart! One study revealed (ref. link) that diets rich in saturated fat were associated with a greater risk of persistent or chronic atrial fibrillation. It is advisable to increase your intake of monosaturated fats like nuts, avocados, or olive oil while eating a well-rounded wholesome diet.
3. More Smiles, Less Stress! Studies have shown (ref. link) that anxiety and stress may trigger atrial fibrillation. Strong emotions can cause your heart to race and skip a beat, triggering AFib episodes. Finding coping mechanisms like breathing exercises or meditation to calm your nerves may help in the long run.
4. Say No to Cigarettes and Cocktails Alcohol can also trigger Afib. Some people experience symptoms from just a drink or two, while others don’t feel adverse effects in a cardiac sense unless heavy drinking is involved. This is believed to be due to a possible link between alcohol consumption and the level of activity of the Vagus nerve, which in turn affects the heart. According to the American Heart Association (ref. link), light to moderate alcohol intake within limits should not trigger Afib. They suggest up to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men, without binge drinking.
With regard to smoking, research from theEuropean Society of Cardiology (ref. link) determined that every 10 “pack-years” of smoking saw a 16% increased risk of Afib.
5. Fit does not Quit. Find a Workout that Suits YOU! It’s natural for people with arrhythmias to hesitate when it comes to exercise. A common question they ask is, “Can I exercise with a heart condition?”
How do you know if your heart is working too hard?
Afib can make exercise difficult because it does cause your heart rate to rise and your Blood Pressure to drop. You may experience heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating and breathlessness. In severe cases, it may also cause arm pain, confusion, and disorientation. If you feel unwell or uneasy while exercising with atrial fibrillation, ask your doctor to confirm if you can participate in regular workout sessions at a moderate level.
While initially recovering from Afib you may be told to consider cardiac rehabilitation. You would exercise under supervision at a health facility where your heart is evaluated using an exercise heart rate monitor. In addition, they will look out for abnormalities using ECG monitoring devices. The specialists there can recommend new exercises to safely try using the information gained through this process.
How do I know how my heart is doing during exercise?
A continuous ECG monitor that tracks your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity patterns can be very useful in understanding whether you are pushing your heart too hard. Therefore, using an ECG fitness tracker can help you maintain a healthy heart by showing you which situations and activities help your heart, and which ones hurt it. You can now buy the best ECG fitness tracker on Amazon from Fourth Frontier and get started right away.
Watch more Frontier X Smart Heart Monitor Video Testimonials (ref. link) if you want to hear from many who use wearables to help understand their heart health.
*The information in this blog is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, or usefulness. The content in this blog is not meant to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is intended for informational purposes only. This blog contains copyright material that has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.
Frequently Asked Questions on Living and Thriving with AFib:
What are the warning signs of AFib?
AFib signs may be similar to other heart-related issues. Some people experience rapid heartbeat or skipped heartbeats, while others may experience dizziness, weakness, and breathlessness. Each of these are the common warning signs of AFib. It is important to spot these signs and discuss them with your doctor if you do.
Is atrial fibrillation a serious problem?
Atrial fibrillation isn’t generally life-threatening or considered to be serious for otherwise healthy people. Nevertheless, atrial fibrillation can be risky if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other diseases related to the heart. In either scenario the condition should be properly diagnosed and addressed by a doctor.
What happens during atrial fibrillation?
During AFib, the normal beating in the upper chambers of the heart (the two atria) is periodic, and blood doesn’t flow as it should from the atria to the lower chambers of the heart (the two ventricles).
Can you live a long life with atrial fibrillation?
Though AFib is a long-term condition, if managed correctly, you can live a long and active life. Additionally, you can take several measures to reduce your risk of stroke.
Can stress cause atrial fibrillation?
Some studies indicate that stress and mental health problems may drive atrial fibrillation symptoms to worsen. High levels of stress may also cause other health conditions.
Do you know that feeling you get when you catch a glimpse of the love of your life? It’s like your heart stopped for a minute, like it forgot to beat. And if it happens once in a blue moon, it may sound so romantic!
But what if you started experiencing this unsettling feeling more often, even when you’re resting? What if you felt your heart skip a beat when you’re working out, or if you get palpitations with a racing heart in the middle of a meeting?
The idea that there could be problems with your heart’s timekeeper can be stressful. We’ve answered 5 of the most common questions asked about skipped heartbeats and what to expect when dealing with palpitations.
1. What does it mean when your heart skips a beat?
Usually, electricity moves through the heart in a very regular and controlled manner. Your heart beats at a standard rate, an average of60-100 beats per minute (ref. link) at rest. This is because the cells of your heart muscles conduct the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to contract and pump blood in a very regular and controlled manner. It’s usually precise and consistent. Each set of contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle is picked up as a heartbeat.
Sometimes, the electrical impulses may misfire, causing your heart to skip a beat or throw in an extra beat. This disturbance in the rhythm is responsible for the odd feeling in your chest – as your heart jumps or flip flops. We commonly associate these feelings with heart palpitations called ectopic heartbeats or premature heartbeats.
2. Reasons for Heart Palpitations : Is it normal for your heart to miss beats?
Despite the skipped or added beat, the heart continues to usually function normally. There are two main types of ectopic heartbeats:
Premature atrial contractions (PAC), which originate in the upper chambers or atria.
Premature ventricular contractions (PVC), which originate in the lower chambers or ventricles.
An example of premature heartbeats
The causes of skipped beats could also be: 1. Lifestyle Factors
Dehydration
Smoking
Eating spicy foods or drinking too much caffeine and alcohol.
Emotional triggers like stress or anxiety
Sleep disturbances
2. Hormonal Factors
Hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels
Pregnancy and menopause
3. Medical Conditions
Anaemia
High fever
Side effects of certain medications
Arrhythmias or other heart conditions like enlargement of the heart muscles cause disturbances in electrical impulses’ conductivity.
Do people experience heart palpitations after COVID 19?
The most common effect that the Covid 19 virus had on the heart was inflammation of the cardiac muscle or myocarditis. It usually resolves on its own as the infection dies down. But it can cause serious outcomes in some patients (ref. link), like arrhythmias, heart failure, acute coronary syndrome and venous thromboembolism.
Lingering symptoms are seen inCovid “Long Haulers” (ref. link) after suffering from even a mild Covid infection. These include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and heart palpitations.
A recent study showed that patients with Covid 19 often experienced increased heart rates, low energy and sleeping problems by using wearable devices and an app to track their symptoms.
According to data fromJohns Hopkins (ref. link), patients recovering from the coronavirus sometimes show symptoms of a condition known as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). This nervous system problem affects heart rate and blood flow. People have complained about rapid heartbeats, palpitations, brain fog and lightheadedness when getting up from rest.
This may explain why some people experience heart palpitations after Covid. These symptoms could be due to a problem with the heart but could also be because they have just recovered from a severe illness, may be dehydrated, and have spent time resting and inactive.
3. What does it feel like when your heart skips a beat?
You may experience ectopic heartbeats in a variety of ways. You may feel like your heart missed a beat and then rebounded with a harder one and that it’s beating faster than usual or fluttering rapidly. This feeling can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
People experience skipped heartbeats even when they are just standing, sitting, or sleeping, not only when moving or exercising.
The frequency ofirregular heartbeats also vary. You may experience only one episode in your life. Or you could have had it for a long time, with short episodes that end on their own.
4. Heart Palpitations : When should you be worried about an irregular heartbeat?
When you notice that your heart misses a beat often, you may wonder, “Are skipped heartbeats dangerous?” In most cases, if felt on their own, they may not be anything to worry about. However, if they are accompanied by: the following symptoms then it may indicate a bigger problem
chest pain or discomfort
severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
dizziness and nausea
fainting
If you notice ectopic beats, try to analyse if they followed any triggers or if your heart rate also starts increasing during an episode. You may experience bouts of palpitations that last for long periods and do not improve but get progressively worse over time.
This could indicateheart disease, and you should bring it up with your doctor so that they can get to the root of the issue. They usually recommend an ECG, a 2D echo, a stress test or continuous monitoring with a Holter for 24 to 72 hours to detect heart palpitations that aren’t found during a regular ECG exam.
5. Can you exercise with skipped beats?
Many people experience palpitations before and after exercise due to the fluctuations in adrenaline as you step up or decrease your pace or effort. However, further evaluation is advisable if these skipped beats are accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, dizziness, blackouts, or loss of consciousness.
These can be worrying symptoms. How do you know if your heart is safe during exercise? Continuous and real-time monitoring of your heart’s activity may be the answer!
Frequently Asked Questions :
What causes heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are known to be caused due to anxiety, stress, panic attacks, or any kind of fear. Some heart palpitations are connected to abnormal heart rhythms that might be caused due to various heart diseases.
What are heart arrhythmia symptoms?
Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) may feel like a racing or a fluttering heart. The signs and symptoms include a slow or a racing heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. There are a number of other symptoms including anxiety and fatigue.
When should you worry about heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are serious when they are accompanied by symptoms including severe chest pain, breathlessness, and unusual sweating. If you have pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of heart diseases and sudden death, you need to consult your doctor immediately.
Can you stop heart palpitations?
The best way to treat heart palpitations is to avoid any triggers. Reduce your stress levels, try relaxation techniques and avoid stimulants to treat heart palpitations. You need to keep a tab on your water intake and ensure that you stay hydrated to prevent heart palpitations.
What can make your heart palpitations worse?
Lack of quality sleep, stress, and anxiety are some of the factors that can worsen your heart palpitations. It is recommended that you avoid stimulants (including heavy alcohol use, appetite suppressants among many more) to ensure that heart palpitations do not get any worse.
*The information contained in this blog is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or usefulness. The content in this blog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is meant for informational purposes only. This blog contains copyright material, the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of running a marathon. Cheering crowds, the blood pumping in your ears, and adrenaline coursing through your veins as you race to the finish line.
Those few hours are a testament to the weeks and months of training and hard work you put in before the BIG DAY!
It’s not surprising that 1.1 million runners complete a marathon each year. However, according to data from the International Institute for Race Medicine (ref. link) (IIRM), only 0.01 per cent of the world’s population routinely takes up this running challenge.
Marathon training workouts are notoriously challenging, but those who compete have several motivators to push them. Whether you are running for charity, to keep up your health goals or simply because you love running, the thrill of the challenge and the personal victory from achieving such a high goal can certainly inspire marathon runners to push through the pain!
As marathon season kicks off this year, here are a few tips to boost your performance.
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND!
As race day gets closer and closer, the miles start piling up. The long runs get longer each day and nervousness sets in. No matter how confident you are in your marathon training, you may ask yourself – Am I ready? Have I done enough?
Runners know that getting ready for a race takes more than just marathon training and strength training. When working towards crushing your goals, it’s equally important to develop a running mindset alongside completing your endurance and marathon strength training! Mental toughness in fitness (ref. link) needs the right mindset and strategy to stay focused and relaxed to get the most out of your marathon workouts.
It is perfectly natural to feel nervous before and during a big race. Runners have been known to lose steam even midway through a race. However, a 2014 study showed that self-talk keeps exhaustion at bay while motivating you to push forward and boosting your endurance.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
Whilst you may feel the drive to push through any pain, don’t forget to listen to your body. Look out for any injuries sustained and make sure that they’re treated immediately to avoid further damage. The RICE method (ref. link) is a popular, go-to approach because of its simplicity.
Rest: First, take the weight off the injury by sitting or lying down.
Ice: Apply the ice for at least 15 minutes (maximum 20 minutes) and then leave it at least 45 minutes before re-applying to avoid any chance of frostbite. Do this about 5 times throughout the day.
Compression: Compress the area using an elastic bandage, wrapped tightly enough to provide support but not limit movement.
Elevation: Raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce the swelling.
SLOW DOWN TO SPEED UP.
In the week leading up to a race, tweak your marathon training schedule to decrease your running volume so that you prep your body before the big day. Studies have shown that when runners taper or reduce their training load in the weeks before race day, it helps them recover from the weeks of high-volume, high-intensity training used to enhance performance during the race itself.
Sleep is an important factor for recovery at any time in your marathon training plan, but it should be prioritised even more during the week before race day. Try and get at least 8 hours of sound sleep every night.
LOAD UP ON THE CARBS.
Studies show that during intense, continuous endurance exercise, the glycogen or energy stored in your muscles is depleted after about 90 minutes. Carb-loading involves eating more carbs at every meal and snacks 5-7 days before your race so that your muscles have plenty of energy stored on race day. Then, on race day, try and eat an easily digestible meal high in carbs and low in fibre.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HEART
Although regular exercise contributes to many well-established long-term health benefits, vigorous exercise is also associated with a transient increase in the risk of heart events. Studies conducted by the American Heart Association (ref. link) evaluated the rate at which cardiac events occurred during high-intensity exercises like marathons. They showed that 50% of these events took place in the last mile of the race, and among participants in triathlons, almost 40% of cardiac events occurred in first-time participants. During training for high-intensity,multi-hour endurance exercises like marathons, individuals may often experience cardiac strain. Their heart enzymes like troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are elevated and they may have patchy myocardial fibrosis. This sustained load may lead to remodelling of the heart, instigating cardiac conditions like arrhythmias. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of marathon heart damage.
This year, it is especially important to keep an eye on your heart when returning to Marathon training, because covid induced myocarditis, and myocarditis as an adverse reaction to covid vaccines, may have lingering effects on the health and performance of even seasoned marathon runners.
Click here (ref. link) to read our detailed blog about the warning signs of cardiac disease. Our blog on getting back to your marathon exercises after recovering from Covid-19 also gives practical tips for getting back to your fitness routines.
Frequently Asked Questions :
What heart rate should you aim for when training for a marathon?
Running is an exercise that is known to give lasting cardiovascular benefits. However, you will need to determine your target heart rate for running, especially a marathon, based on your age and maximum heart rate. When running a marathon you should train at up to 85% of your maximum heart rate.
Are running marathons good for your heart?
Research shows that running lowers blood pressure and improves metabolism. As per the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a positive connection between heart health and running was established among the study participants based on data from 55,000 adults over 15 years. Running has proven to be a heart-healthy activity for most people.
*The information contained in this blog is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or usefulness. The content in this blog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is meant for informational purposes only. This blog contains copyright material, the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We’ve all been there … the last few steps away from the finish line, the last mile on the exercise bike, the countdown to the end of a great bench press session. You can feel your blood pounding in your ears, the adrenaline rushing through your veins, your racing heartbeat… until it literally skips a beat. And not in a good way.
The first instinct is to slow down. What if we pushed ourselves too much? Better to be safe than sorry. The news of sudden cardiac deaths in seemingly healthy people, many of them young, who collapsed right in the middle of their workouts, has made everyone a little nervous. These events have us asking some tough questions – how much is too much? Can you hurt your heart by exercising too much?
Does too much exercise cause heart problems?
Sudden cardiac deaths (ref. link) account for 40–50% of all heart-related deaths and 15–20% of overall mortality. Studies show that men who are not used to intensive exercise are most at risk, while women and regular exercisers have slightly reduced risks. While it seems like the chances of a heart attack during exercise are higher if you suddenly go from couch potato to 5K, cases where high-intensity exercises lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, are the ones we should keep a lookout for.
What happens inside our bodies as we exercise?
Just like any other muscle in your body, as you begin to exercise, your heart will quickly contract and relax and blood circulation will increase. This helps to get oxygen-rich blood to your muscles, faster. As you continue to pick up the pace, the demand for oxygen in the blood will increase. The heart will try and keep up with this demand by increasing the heart rate as well as the force with which the heart muscle contracts. This is why the heart races and body temperature rises as you move your muscles.
That Funny Feeling: What symptoms of heart disease could you experience while exercising?
If the exercise puts too much strain on your heart, you may experience:
It is important that you pay attention to these warning signs, and rest. The most alarming symptom for most people is the uncomfortable sensation of irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that commonly occurs in older adults with coronary artery disease, valvular disease, or other heart diseases. Studies (ref. link) have shown that they also occur in people who take part in regular endurance exercise. One study estimated that the risk of atrial fibrillation increased by about 16%, and the risk of atrial flutter increased by 42%, for every 10 years of regular endurance exercise, i.e. if one exercised three or more times per week, for over 30 minutes.
Tennis icon Billie Jean King (ref. link) and basketball star Larry Bird (ref. link) are prominent examples of star athletes who developed atrial fibrillation when they were still young and active.
The Panic Button: Can too much exercise harm my heart?
The most common recommendation for people who experience arrhythmias while exercising would be to scale down the duration and intensity of the exercise, but athletes in training or those who work consistently towards their fitness goals are often reluctant to give up on their hard-won stamina.
Although a European study (ref. link) showed that male athletes reported fewer episodes of arrhythmiaafter reducing their athletic activity; the response was greater in younger athletes (30% reduction in episodes) than in older athletes (11% reduction in episodes).
The Next Step: Running for a Stress Test
Experiencing atrial fibrillations or heart flutters can be scary, and might prompt you to reschedule your yearly health check-up. A full examination may reveal a stable resting heart rate, normal blood pressure, and no findings on an ECG. The logical next step is to find out if the arrhythmia is stress-induced. Enter the treadmill test!
During a stress test (ref. link), you walk on a treadmill so that you force your heart to work harder, while you step up your activity levels and monitor its performance using an ECG and blood pressure graphs. Doctors would look out for symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating and fatigue as well. These changes could point towards coronary artery disease (CAD) (ref. link) or exercise induced arrhythmias (ref. link) like atrial fibrillation or tachyarrhythmias (both supraventricular and ventricular)
But there is a downside.
A stress test may not be able to pick up a developing heart condition or an underlying arrhythmia effectively. The test lasts only 15-20 minutes, giving the doctors only a limited estimate of your heart condition. Exercising in an examination room can never replicate the environmental conditions you are otherwise exposed to when taking part in endurance exercises, in your routine life. That’s why a stress test does fall short when compared to continuous monitoring of both heart rate and heart rhythm, especially during exercise.
Active Monitoring: The Smart Approach
Wearable heart rate monitors have become more popular lately. How can a heart rate monitor be beneficial to your workouts? It can definitely measure heart rates effectively, so you know when you’re getting the most out of your exercise regimen. You can watch out for alarming increases and slow down when you need to. But there are limitations here as well, because devices that pick up fluctuations in heart rate may not be able to pick up changes in heart rhythm.
Just like everything in life, balance is the key. While working on your exercise routine, it does make sense to establish your baseline heart rate, endurance and stamina before rushing into an intense workout. As a seasoned athlete or as someone who loves their daily endorphin rush after a great workout, monitoring your heart rate and ECG while exercising is a great way to detect fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions on Irregular Heartbeat :
Is it normal to have an irregular heartbeat during exercise?
It is not uncommon for the heart rate to become irregular during exercise, especially if you are pushing yourself to your limits. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern and may resolve on its own after the exercise is completed. However, if you experience persistent or severe irregular heartbeats during exercise, or if you have a history of heart problems, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider.
What causes irregular heartbeats during exercise?
There are several potential causes of irregular heartbeats during exercise, including: Dehydration, Electrolyte imbalances, underlying heart conditions such as arrhythmia or coronary artery disease and exertion.
What should I do if I experience an irregular heartbeat during exercise?
If you experience an irregular heartbeat during exercise that is persistent or severe, or if you have any other symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention.
Can irregular heartbeats during exercise be prevented?
There are several steps you can take to help prevent irregular heartbeats during exercise, including:
Staying hydrated: Be sure to drink enough fluids before, during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration.
Warming up and cooling down properly: Start your workout with a warm-up to gradually increase your heart rate, and end with a cool-down to gradually decrease your heart rate.
Monitoring your intensity: Be mindful of your intensity during exercise and take breaks as needed.
Listening to your body: If you feel tired, short of breath, or experience any other unusual symptoms during exercise, stop and seek medical attention if necessary.
*The information contained in this blog is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or usefulness. The content in this blog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is meant for informational purposes only. This blog contains copyright material, the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
With the holiday season approaching, we see a surge in social gatherings and holiday parties which leads to more alcohol consumption among people. More than 50% of people are believed to binge drink during this time of the year. [1]
Fig.1: Alcohol consumption during holiday weeks [2]
Binge drinking during holidays can lead to “holiday heart syndrome”. It is also referred to as alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmia, which is a racing or irregular heartbeat which can lead to clots, stroke, or other heart-related complications if not treated. It is not caused by long-term drinking but only due to binge drinking. It can even occur in people without a history of cardiovascular problems.[3]
While people get carried away with the holiday spirit, it is particularly crucial to take measures and drink in moderation. The best way to prevent holiday heart syndrome would be to be aware of the amount of alcohol you are consuming, stay hydrated, avoid overindulging in unhealthy foods and get plenty of sleep. Celebrating with your friends and family is good for your heart, but binge drinking and eating can ruin your holiday cheer.
There are as many opinions on the effects, positive or otherwise, of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health as there are types of spirits. While research supporting “a glass of wine a day” tends to focus on the cardioprotective antioxidants, and their effects on raising “good” cholesterol, these positive findings may be confounded by factors like a complimentary stress-free lifestyle and a healthy diet.
Despite the lack of strong evidence in favor of moderate alcohol consumption for a healthier heart, there is little doubt that excessive alcohol consumption negatively affects the body, especially the heart – its musculature, vessels, and electrical conduction system. At the time of drinking, it can lead to increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, weakened heart muscle, and irregular heartbeats. In the longer run, it can even cause a heart attack or a stroke.[4]
Below is an example of how in one user increased alcohol intake the night before leads to more rhythm changes in the ECG recording on the following day.
This holiday season, take care of your heart and your loved ones. Our Fourth Frontier team wishes you and your family happy and safe holidays. We hope you enjoy your holiday parties but even more importantly, we hope you stay safe and healthy as you enter the new year!
*The information contained in this blog is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or usefulness. The content in this blog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is meant for informational purposes only. This blog contains copyright material, the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
Fig.1: Alcohol consumption during holiday weeks [2]
