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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I See A Doctor For Irregular Heartbeats?

I think I might have an irregular heartbeat. I was wondering if I need to see a doctor immediately. I drank too much this weekend. I am drinking some vitamin water now and that has helped the light headedness, but my chest still feels a little funny.
Thu, 3 Sep 2015
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern.

Alcohol consumin, recreational or, with higher probability, binge drinking, has various effects on the human organism. Also, some of its effects are exerted on the human heart, especially the electrical and conduction systems of it. There is a great possibility that alcohol intake in excessive amounts can result in various cardiac arrhythmia, dependin also to how damaged this heart is. Assuming that you have a normally functioning heart, this may be a supraventricular arrhythmia - atrial flutter or fibrillation with highest probability. Furthermore, this is now known and established syndrome and is called "holiday heart syndrome", which is charachterized by patients running to the emergency room with this arrhythmia, on Mondays, in most cases, after having a weekend with alcohol intake in abundant amounts. I recommend you to go to the emergency room, and an EKG should be done to confirm this diagnose, and, later, an echocardiogram, to assess the size, motility and function of cardiac chambers and valves. If this diagnose is established, then pharmacological or elctrical means should be undertaken, to convert this arrhythmia into normal sinus rhythm. I would recommend you to reduce your alcohol intake to a maximum of 30 g ethanol a day (a beer or a glass of wine).

I hope I was helpful with my answer. Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Meriton
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Should I See A Doctor For Irregular Heartbeats?

Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern. Alcohol consumin, recreational or, with higher probability, binge drinking, has various effects on the human organism. Also, some of its effects are exerted on the human heart, especially the electrical and conduction systems of it. There is a great possibility that alcohol intake in excessive amounts can result in various cardiac arrhythmia, dependin also to how damaged this heart is. Assuming that you have a normally functioning heart, this may be a supraventricular arrhythmia - atrial flutter or fibrillation with highest probability. Furthermore, this is now known and established syndrome and is called holiday heart syndrome , which is charachterized by patients running to the emergency room with this arrhythmia, on Mondays, in most cases, after having a weekend with alcohol intake in abundant amounts. I recommend you to go to the emergency room, and an EKG should be done to confirm this diagnose, and, later, an echocardiogram, to assess the size, motility and function of cardiac chambers and valves. If this diagnose is established, then pharmacological or elctrical means should be undertaken, to convert this arrhythmia into normal sinus rhythm. I would recommend you to reduce your alcohol intake to a maximum of 30 g ethanol a day (a beer or a glass of wine). I hope I was helpful with my answer. Take care. Regards, Dr. Meriton