A person with holiday heart syndrome has a cardiac arrhythmia that is caused by the consumption of alcohol. Holiday heart syndrome is a disturbance in the normal heartbeat that is caused by the toxic effect of alcohol on the heart. A common abnormal heartbeat that occurs in holiday heart syndrome is atrial fibrillation.

Holiday heart syndrome may cause:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat
• Palpitations

In most cases, the cardiac arrhythmia resolves within 24 hours as the alcohol is metabolized by the body. Those with this condition need to avoid alcohol and other stimulants such as caffeine.