Cardiac Risk During the Holidays

Have you heard of the "Merry Christmas coronary" or the "Happy Hanukkah heart attack"?  You may feel the flutter of your heart when you open your new iPad or the latest fitness gadget or (if you're lucky enough) see the new car in your driveway.  However, for many years, researchers have been intrigued by a disturbing pattern: Deadly heart attacks increase during the winter holiday season.  One study even found distinct spikes around Christmas and New Year's Day.  Why is that?

Those of us who grew up in the colder climates of the north like to think it's from the exertion of shoveling snow during cold temperatures.  Doctors have long known that cold weather is hard on the heart.  Blood vessels constrict, which raises blood pressure.  Blood also clots more readily.  Frigid temperatures increase strain on the heart, and too much physical exertion can worsen the burden and trigger a heart attack. While that may be true, it doesn't account for similar statistics in warmer climates.  In a study done in Los Angeles County, California, researchers found one-third more coronary artery disease deaths in December and January as compared to June through September.

Another study published in 2004 in the journal Circulation, researchers found the number of deaths from cardiac episodes were higher on Christmas day than any other day of the year!  The second and third highest were December 26 and January 1st, respectively.  What were their conclusions for these numbers?  Researches concluded that many people might delay getting treatment because of the holidays.  People feel they should disrupt celebrations and travel due to chest pains and other symptoms of cardiac trouble.  Researchers also suspected that overindulgence and emotional stress play a large role in the higher numbers during December and January.

So how can you prevent the Christmas coronary?  Be smart during the holiday season.  Most importantly if you are experience signs and symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion - especially in women, crushing or heavy feeling in the chest, pain in neck or jaw radiating down through left arm, nausea) please call 9-1-1 immediately or go to an emergency room.  Other ways to play it smart this season:

• Dress appropriately for your climate AND activity.  Dressing in layers is helpful because you can add or take away as you warm up or cool down.
• Try to remain as stress-free as possible.  Give yourself  some "me-time" so you can get away from the hustle and bustle.
• Make good choices.  Limit alcohol intake, drink lots of water, and choose nutrient-dense foods.
• Get a flu shot.  Infection and fever put undue stress on the heart.
• Maintain your exercise plan.  Making time for exercise on a daily basis will help control stress, improve sleep quality, and help you make better choices when visiting the holiday buffets!!

Don't become a statistic.  Your friends and family would like you to stay around for a long time!!  Be healthy, be happy, and most importantly, be alive this holiday season!!