Published Mar 04, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 04, 2026 | 7:00 AM
A weekend party. Representative Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: A cardiologist warned that some habits can trigger Holiday Heart Syndrome, a condition where irregular heart rhythms appear after bouts of binge drinking, dehydration and sleep deprivation. Another cardiologist warned that weekend social habits often combine factors that destabilise the heart’s electrical system.
Did you know that weekends could make your heart race more, sometimes with irregular rhythms? A recent social media post by Deepak Krishnamurthy, Director and Lead Cardiologist at KIMS Hospital, Bengaluru, described a pacemaker patient whose heart rate spiked on one specific day each week.
He warned that some habits can trigger Holiday Heart Syndrome, a condition where irregular heart rhythms appear after bouts of binge drinking, dehydration and sleep deprivation.
“This pattern is quite common, especially among younger people,” Dr Krishnamurthy told South First, noting that such episodes are increasingly seen in urban practice.
He explained that weekend behaviour often combines multiple cardiac stressors. “It is usually a combination of binge drinking over the weekend, lack of sleep due to late-night partying and many times underlying high blood pressure,” he added, describing a convergence of triggers rather than a single cause.
Dr Krishnamurthy further noted that recurring, time-specific episodes are rarely random. When symptoms cluster around weekends, doctors look for dehydration, exertion, alcohol intake, and sleep deprivation as potential culprits.
The case highlighted in the post underscores how even individuals with pacemakers or stable heart conditions can experience rhythm disturbances when exposed to these triggers.
According to Sanjay S Bhat, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, weekend social habits often combine factors that destabilise the heart’s electrical system.
“Late night partying, alcohol, and high sodium intake lead to dehydration and blood pressure spikes, which can cause irregular heartbeat,” he explained to South First, describing a chain reaction that begins with lifestyle choices.
He warned that the progression can escalate quickly. “They can have simple heart beating, sudden rise in heart rate, and it can progress into irregular, rapid heart beating or atrial fibrillation, which is quite dangerous,” Dr Bhat said.
Such irregular rhythms increase the risk of stroke and may remain undetected until complications arise.
He also described how alcohol metabolism contributes directly to rhythm disturbances. Excess alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that disrupts cardiac electrical activity.
When combined with smoking, recreational substances, or severe sleep deprivation, this toxic effect can trigger arrhythmias even in individuals with no prior history of heart disease.
“People with existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, pacemakers and a previous history of atrial fibrillation are more vulnerable,” Dr Krishnamurthy said, emphasising that underlying conditions amplify the impact of weekend triggers.
However, he cautioned that youth and fitness do not guarantee protection when binge drinking and dehydration are involved.
Dr Bhat outlined warning signs that should prompt immediate attention. “Palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or unusual bloating should not be ignored,” he said, adding that symptoms such as breathlessness when lying down or swelling in the legs may signal worsening heart function.
He noted that some patients dismiss these signs as acidity or exhaustion, delaying diagnosis.
Dr Krishnamurthy highlighted the role of technology in early detection. “Wearable devices and smart watches can definitely pick up atrial fibrillation early,” he said, noting that timely alerts can help patients seek care before complications such as stroke or heart failure occur.
Regular monitoring, he suggested, is particularly useful for individuals with known risk factors.
“Safe limit is a max of one or two standard drinks, not more than two days a week; no binge drinking. Adequate hydration, food intake and sleep are necessary,” Dr Krishnamurthy advised, stressing that moderation and recovery time are critical for heart health.
He noted that the body requires sufficient rest and hydration to maintain stable cardiac rhythms.
Dr Bhat reinforced the importance of rethinking weekend routines. “Alcohol consumption should be restricted, and the weekend is for resting, not partying till 4 am,” he said, cautioning that repeated sleep deprivation and heavy drinking can weaken the heart over time.
He also warned that excessive alcohol intake can damage the liver, increase cancer risk, and contribute to long-term cardiovascular disease.
Doctors emphasised that awareness is the first step toward prevention. Recognising patterns, moderating alcohol intake, staying hydrated, and listening to early symptoms can prevent temporary rhythm disturbances from escalating into life-threatening conditions.
As weekend lifestyles grow more intense, they caution that the heart may be the first organ to signal when the balance has gone too far.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
