Arrhythmologist Ardashev: alcohol abuse causes “festive heart syndrome” 
) Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov, arrhythmologist Andrei Ardashev said that after the holidays, the number of visits to doctors with complaints about the work of the heart is increasing. In an interview with the Prime Agency, the physician revealed how these factors are connected.
The doctor said that in people who are generally healthy, alcohol abuse causes bouts of arrhythmias – irregular contractions of the heart when it beats very quickly and then freezes. This state persists for no more than 24 hours.
“The most common of these arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation, which is called the holiday heart syndrome in medicine. As a rule, this condition is associated with the use of large doses of alcohol in a short period of time “, – said Ardashev. According to him, this phenomenon threatens a mortal danger.
The arrhythmologist added that such an arrhythmia leads to sudden death: “The heart can’t stand it and can stop.” Alcohol and its breakdown product, acetaldehyde, have a toxic effect on erythrocytes, destroying their membranes. The physician added that alcohol contributes to dehydration, as it reduces the production of antidiuretic hormone. Because of this, polyuria and hypokalemia occur, which are a significant cause of the formation of arrhythmias.
help can be fatal, “concluded Ardashev.
Previously, nutritionists called alcohol one of the dangerous drinks for those who want to lose weight b. If you still have to drink alcohol, they advised you to choose wine or drinks that do not contain additional calories.