It turns out brain freeze isn’t the only repercussion of eating or drinking something cold. A phenomenon called cold drink heart (CDH) occurs when certain individuals quickly consume a cold food or beverage and it abruptly triggers irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Although the phenomenon is not yet formally diagnosable, it is gaining attention from clinicians and cardiac researchers worldwide.

In fact, a recent Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology study found that among the participants who reported experiencing CDH, avoiding cold food and beverages was effective in reducing or eliminating AFib episodes in 86.4% to 100% of cases. Participants noted that common CDH triggers included ice water, smoothies, milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cold soda or beer.

The left atrium of the heart is where AFib originates from,” explains Dr. Mehran Jabbarzadeh, an electrophysiologist at Advocate Health Care. “So, CDH may be explained by the idea that consuming cold food or drinks stimulates the esophagus and autonomic nervous system which causes the direct cooling of the left upper chamber of the heart.”
 

 

Dr. Jabbarzadeh emphasizes that although CDH may be an AFib trigger for some, more common triggers include:

Alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking

• Excessive caffeine consumption
• Lack of sleep
• Acute illness, such as pneumonia or surgery
• Emotional or physical stress
  

While more research is needed on CDH, Dr. Jabbarzadeh advises you to talk to your health care provider about your symptoms if you suspect you are experiencing this phenomenon. Also, it’s important to remember that unlike some non-modifiable AFib triggers, you can easily control CDH triggers by adjusting your consumption of cold food and beverages.

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