More fatal heart attacks happen on Christmas than any other day of the year.
The day after Christmas is second for fatal heart attacks, and New Year’s Day is third.
Those figures are from a 2004 study published in the research journal Circulation, which studied almost 30 years of death certificates for more than 50 million Americans. The researchers found that fatal heart attacks occur more often during the holiday season, with almost 5 percent more people experiencing a fatal cardiac event during the holidays than at other times of the year.
Understand the cause of these cardiac events can help you plan now to avoid them.
Seasonal Stress
Day-to-day living can be hectic enough, but add to it the additional social demands expected of us during the holidays, and it’s no wonder that our hearts start to show the effect. Research has tied stress to a host of health problems, including increased blood pressure and even increases in cholesterol.
Solution: Take it easy and don’t get worked up. Take time to meditate, pray, relax, and don’t over-extend yourself or commit to more than you can handle. It’s OK to say “No.”
Cold Weather
The body has several natural responses to being cold — shivering, for instance. One way the body copes with the cold is by constricting the blood vessels. When the arteries and veins become narrower, there’s less room for blood to move through and blood pressure increases. In addition, cold weather causes blood to clot more quickly. Pushing blood that’s quick to clot through an artery that may already be narrowed can easily lead to a blocked artery and heart attack.
Solution: Stay warm. If you have known heart problems, such as a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) or a history of heart attacks, avoid strenuous outdoor activities when the temps drop. Dressing in layer can help keep you comfortable.
Seasonal Sickness
Being sick puts extra stress on your heart, and during the holidays, opportunities for illness abound. We’re frequently among tight-knit groups at holiday parties when viruses can spread very easily from person to person, including the flu.
Solution: Practice good hand hygiene, try to keep your distance from people who are ill and, if you haven’t already, get your annual flu shot.
Putting Yourself Last
One common habit during the holidays is to put everyone else first. We can easily get too busy to check our blood pressure or accurately monitor our blood sugar, and many people are hesitant to seek medical care if they begin to exhibit symptoms because they’re afraid of interfering with holiday plans.
Solution: Make time for you. Don’t skip on watching your blood pressure and blood sugar, try to maintain your healthy eating habits and, if you think you’re experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, don’t wait — seek care immediately.
The holidays are a time to be with the ones you love; don’t let heart disease take you away from them.
For more information about cardiology services at Tanner, visit Tanner Heart Care.
Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists has locations in Bremen, Carrollton, Villa Rica and Wedowee. For more information, visit HeartAndVascularSpecialists.org or call 770-812-9326.