Alcohol intake can also lead to a rise in plasma free fatty acids and an increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

[11] Drinking large quantities of alcohol or caffeine,[12][13][14] eating fatty foods with salt,[15] heightened levels of stress,[16][17] and dehydration are all risk factors for the development of this syndrome.

Patients with HHS also frequently report precordial pain, sweating, anxiety, shortness of breath, and syncope.

[4] People with holiday heart syndrome have a heightened risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury[20] and increased atrial vulnerability to external electrical stimulus under the influence.

[21] The heightened level of acetaldehyde this syndrome causes can result in mitochondrial dysfunction, valvular disease, oxidative damage, cell death, lowered effects of cardioprotective molecules, and an altered calcium transport and protein synthesis system.