holiday heart syndrome

[starshell]

Hi

I have been going to the Doctors about palpitations in my chest, these usually happen the next day after having a few drinks. If i have a lot to drink it is usually very bad the next day, but i feel i keep gettin dismissed.  Ive even gone to ER a couple of times.  One time it was so bad that i could barely breath with the pain in my chest, i felt a sensation go down my left arm and then i collapased but i did not pass out, i was brought to ER where they were quick to dismiss me heartburn or anxiety, untill they took blood tests and came back and told me i had had a heart episode, which wasnt really explained to me.  I had all the heart tests done and a stress test and have been told that i have a very strong heart. They couldnt really find anything and eventually diagnosed PVC's which are perfectly harmless.  I just feel very confused, should i be having a drink, do i have holiday heart syndrome??? It also seems to be gettin worse, now as my heart races my face starts to burn up, i dont know what to do, i feel like i am wasting everybodys time by constantly goin on about this. By the way i dont drink all the time, maybe once every 2 weeks at the very most.  I would be very grateful for your opionion, thank you


This discussion is related to Holiday Heart Syndrome.

[starshell]

Thanks everyone for your comments, i think that cutting out alcohol def is the answer.  Although i do get the PVC's anyway, i never experience the chest pains or any of the other symptons unless i have a drink, so i think its time to knock it on the head. Thanks again everyone for takin the time to answer me

[rilesnic]

I can longer drink b/c it aggrivates my PAC's.  I am always the designated driver, and I take care of all the drinkers. They call me the "MOM." I love cranberry juice, so I put it in a pretty glass and drink it up- sometimes I have to dilute it b/c of the sugar content, but sometimes I will just have my bottled water. There is also sparkling white grape juice that is very bubbly and yummy!  My heart dr. said 1 glass of white wine would be ok if it didn't bother me, but it does, so I no longer drink.  I have just as much fun not drinking as I did when I did drink, and I don't have the hangovers that I always had afterwards. Believe me, I did like to drink. My husband and I are members of a Mardi Gras Krewe and we love to go out dancing so we are always around a lot of drinking.  It used to bother me and people would ask why I wasn't drinking, but now they no longer ask.  I'm just high on life!  Best to you!

[Darlingorla]

I would agree with the other poster - cut out alcohol and you won't have these episodes.

[jpek]

I would suggest you go to your dr. and insist that the "heart episode" data is forwarded, and it is explained to you completely and clearly.  You have every right to understand exactly what occured.  While I am not a doctor, I have read a fair amount, and the symptoms you describe do not sould like innocent arrhythmia to me.  In the mean time, my suggestion would be to sign up as the designated driver and skip the drinks.
I hope you get the answers you deserve.  Good luck.

[itdood]

Just my humble opinion, I think you answered your own question.  If drinking makes you feel lousy, don't do it.

I heard a story once about someone who went to a doctor because every time he crossed his legs he would get PVCs.  The doc said "stop crossing your legs".

it's that simple.  

I too had to make a decision about social drinking, it wasn't that big of a deal cutting it out.