Alcohol Abuse and the Holidays

Alcohol Abuse and the Holidays

Alcohol Abuse and the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and like it or not, alcohol usually figures into many festive celebrations. But when people drink too much, they get what physicians call Holiday Heart Syndrome.

"People can get an irregular heart rhythm after bingeing," said Dr. Peter Counihan, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Cardiovascular Institute. "It's from the toxic effect of alcohol on the heart's electrical system."

A new published study in the British Medical Journal indicates that occasional binge drinking may be worse for your heart than drinking smaller amounts less often. This can possibly increase the risk of heart attacks and deaths. The British study compared 2,405 men from Ireland to 7,373 men from France. The cultural differences in relation to alcohol consumption are much different between the two countries.

The Irish actually drank less alcohol, but over a shorter period of time. The French imbibe their alcohol over the course of a week. The researchers determined that people who drank heavy amounts of alcohol on fewer occasions had twice the risk of having a heart attack or dying than regular drinkers. The Irish drink in pubs, and when the pub is about to close, the pressure is often on to consume more alcohol in a short time.

"When the last call comes, you'll see two or three drinks stacked up in front of people like flights coming in to land before the bar shuts down," said Counihan.

The French drink at home, with their meals, in a calm social setting. Researchers believe this may have a beneficial health effect.

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