Holiday Heart syndrome

[SneakyPetemagic]

I recently suffered an episode of a-fib while playing golf. Although I have been plagued with minor irregular heart beats for the last 20 years I have never required any medical treatment for them. This episode brought me to the ER and required a cardioversion to reset the normal rhythm. I had been drinking quite heavily the 2 previous evenings and am a self admitted binge drinker.( weekend warrior) I drank a large tea the morning of the incident and was not able to get any water until a hour into playing golf in 90 degree weather. The big question is: is it possible that incident will be a one off If i change my lifestyle and watch my alcohol intake?  I go for an echo cardiogram tomorrow. Is holiday heart an isolated incident in some people never to return? or once you suffer an A-fib does it always come back?

Thanks  

[SneakyPetemagic]

I got back on the Internet and started reading the plethora of information out there and now feel that once you get an A-fib attack it's very likely to come back. I was hoping that mine was alcohol, caffeine, exercised induced and if I prevent these triggers in the future I can hopefully prevent this form coming back again. It's 5 days today with no problems only the odd flutter which I've had for 20 years.....any thoughts? Is holiday Heart usually a one time occurrence for people who curb back on there drinking? I am feeling anxious as I have to travel tomorrow for 4 hours alone in a car and am a little worried this could flare up in the middle of nowhere on a highway.  sorry to be paranoid...any positive thoughts would be appreciated. I am 42, other wise healthy...I've had extensive testing on my heart and never had one confirmed problem...the doc's just keeping saying it's a benign arrhythmia....but Now that I've experienced an A-fib and cardioversion it feels a lot more serious.

[Waitingforablation]

Some of my atrial fib was alcohol related....I have however limited my alcohol intake and reduced caffeine.  My echo was good also with no damage to my heart.  I still get afib regardless of reducing and eliminating triggers...2 times a week.  The longest without afib is now 5 days.  I am very happy yours has not returned....must be nice!!!  Sounds like you are AFIB free!!! Enjoy it!  I am waiting for the surgery on Aug 19th 2009 in Victoria for ablation (left atria).  I hope to return to a normal lifestyle soon.  

Waitingforablation

[SneakyPetemagic]

echo came back normal....all seems good. thanks to everyone who responded to my questions...hopefully I can get on with my life. I'm thinking this occurred due to too uch alocohol the night before, caffeine in the a.m. plus the heat and dehydration...what a scare...never want to experience that again. I follow up with cardiologist in 2 weeks....good luck everyone

[SneakyPetemagic]

Played golf again today..it was extremely warm but I rode a cart and had lots of water. felt pretty good. other than the anxiety of being on a golf course again i was happy to play 18 holes without any incident. I'm keeping my fingers crossed if I limit my alcohol intake, get good rest and cutout caffeine I can reduce my chances of that Atrial Fibrillation from returning.....

boy sure would have been nice to have a beer at the end today's round though.

[SneakyPetemagic]

Hi: thanks for your comments.

Just wondering your subsequent A-fibs...were any of them alcohol related? or did you quit drinking and still have problems?

Thanks

[Waitingforablation]

Hope your echo is okay and your atrial fib does not return.  I too am young 35 and a weekend warrior.  My first episode was in Mexico...where I was drinking toooooo much.  I have since been cardioverted 8 times and waiting for ablation.  For some people however they only require one shock and the atrial fib does not return.  My heart rate runs from 220 to 180 and 150 and they all require cardioversion.  My medication does not work or control the atrial fib.  I hope all goes well for you and your irregular heart rate does not return.  

sincerely,

waitingforablation

[SneakyPetemagic]

I went for the echo today. should get the results in 3-5 days. trying not to think about things too much but it's hard...I mean one minute I was playing golf the next I'm in the back of an ambulance with my heart rate abnormal and running around 180bpm. An hour later the ER doc is telling me that they have to put me out and shock my heart back into rhythm. To top it off it was my birthday.....42nd!!!  I'm playing golf again tomorrow...I've been off alcohol for 4 days now and am praying this was the catalyst in the whole episode. I feel like i have to get back on the horse and not let this frighten me into inactivity. When I read the posts on this forum it amazes me how many people suffer from irregular heart beats in one form or another....I first experienced mine back in 1988...this A-Fib  episode (my first) last Sunday has me feeling depressed..I pray i can get on with my life..I've got two young girls ( 4 and 1) to take care of....I hate the fact that it feels like there's an invisible time bomb inside you always waiting to go off...I'm trying to stay positive. thanks for your response...only a few small words but it helped.

[Wisconsin2007]

There's always a chance for that to come back, but your situation sounds like textbook Holiday Heart Syndrome.