December: A Time of Joy but Also an Increase in Heart Attacks

Who doesn’t love Andy Williams crooning away singing the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”?  And while it is for many, it can also be one of the deadliest seasons of the year due to an increase in heart attacks. 

Research has shown that fatal heart attacks are highest during the holidays. In a study led by the University of California San Diego, researchers discovered more cardiac deaths occur on Christmas Day than any other day of the year, peaking again on New Year's Day.  The researchers dubbed their theory as the “Merry Christmas Coronary” and “Happy New Year Heart Attack” Phenomenon.

There are a number of causes contributing to this fatal problem as around the holidays, people might be more likely to skip their medication doses or fail to exercise. Additionally, they might experience higher levels of stress, postpone regular doctor appointments or ignore symptoms and seeking medical attention to avoid disrupting holiday plans.  All of this, paired with typically higher levels of drinking, eating richer, saltier foods along with larger portions, might lead to dangerously high blood pressure and ultimately a heart attack.

One of the most heart-friendly things you can do this time of the year is to avoid the “too much” trap.  To protect your heart during the holidays take some simple important steps.

Resist the urge to “do it all”

Instead of trying to maintain all of your holiday traditions, decide on the most important things and downsize or skip the rest.  Seek small but significant changes such as limiting inside and outside decorations to a festive few, ordering gifts online instead of going to crowded stores and leaving all those holiday parties a bit earlier to get an hour or two more of sleep.

Choose gatherings that bring you joy

Spend more time with people you enjoy being with — and less with those you don’t. Don’t feel obligated to attend every holiday party or even obligated to throw your own holiday gathering;  it’s ok to skip a year and establish a new “every other year” tradition.

Schedule Down Time

Make sure you have days where nothing is scheduled.  Feeling exhausted and anxious?  Set aside at least a few minutes each day for a dedicated stress-buster like exercise, quiet reflection or even journaling.  You could even open photo albums and re-live holiday memories from the past. 

Be active, but don’t overexert yourself

Ensure you maintain your regular exercise regime.  Make it a priority to carve out time in your busy schedule to get this done. Exercise helps manage stress, and it helps keep your heart healthy.    However, don’t do activities where you push yourself beyond your physical limitations.   Vigorous activities like shoveling the whole driveway or stringing up a massive light display can stress your heart if these fall outside your normal physical limitations..

Indulge in moderation

Enjoy your favorite holiday foods in small portions and balance out feast days with healthy fare. Don’t feel obligated to try every sweet treat of every friend and family baker or even better freeze these morsels to enjoy at a later date.  Be conscious of over indulging it on the alcohol as it can worsen an irregular heartbeat.

Keep up with your medications

Stay on top of all your prescriptions while traveling and during those hectic days as missing even a dose can affect a drug’s effectiveness.

Don’t ignore symptoms that could signal a heart attack

If you or a loved one mentions discomfort that sounds like a possible heart attack symptom, call 911 right away.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain in the center of the chest. Patients often describe it as a feeling of uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness. The discomfort can come and go or linger for several minutes or more.

• Upper-body discomfort. It’s common for patients to experience pain in one or both arms, their neck, jaw, back, or stomach.

• Shortness of breath. It can be accompanied by chest pain, but isn’t always.

• Other signs may be nausea, light-headedness or breaking out in a cold sweat

ACLS Academy wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season with all of the joy and less of the stress.