The holiday season is a time for love, joy and fellowship with loved ones. We often indulge in our favorite holiday meals and snacks as we enjoy much-needed time off or rest from work. While the holidays are usually full of wonderful things, they can also be full of stress and even carry a greater risk for heart attacks.
According to the American Heart Association, heart attacks are more likely during the holiday season, specifically the last week of December, than any other time of year. There are several reasons why heart attacks are more likely to occur during the holidays, including:
Colder weather
Cold weather can cause your blood vessels to constrict, leading to higher blood pressure and a greater workload for your heart.
Delayed medical care
Unfortunately, many disregard heart attack symptoms during the holiday season because they chalk it up to indigestion, overeating or stress.
Excessive alcohol consumption
It’s typical for alcohol consumption to be higher during the holidays as people gather and celebrate. But increased alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, irregular heart rhythms and added strain to the heart muscles.
Increased stress levels
Stress levels are often elevated during this season. Elevated stress produces a hormone called cortisol that can raise your blood pressure and increase strain on the heart.
Overindulgence
It can be easy to overeat during the holidays, and holiday foods typically have a higher content of fat, cholesterol and sugar, which can raise your blood pressure and lead to heart risk factors, especially for those with preexisting conditions.
There’s also a phenomenon known as holiday heart syndrome. This term is used to describe irregular heart rhythms, or atrial fibrillation (AFib), brought on by excessive consumption of alcohol. The elevated levels of alcohol in your system disrupt the heart’s normal electrical signals and can lead to heart attacks and other heart complications.
Symptoms of heart attacks
It’s essential to recognize the common signs of a heart attack so you know when to seek medical attention. Common heart attack symptoms include:
- Chest pain or discomfort — feels like the chest is tight or being squeezed, normally in the center or left side of the chest, lasts between three and five minutes, can come and go
- Extreme fatigue
- Diaphoresis (breaking into a cold sweat)
- Indigestion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Pain in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, jaw, shoulders and neck
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
How to respond to a heart attack
Responding to a heart attack promptly can make all the difference for your recovery. If you suspect that you or a loved one is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. As you wait for help to come, take the following steps:
- Take aspirin
- Take prescribed nitroglycerin if you have it
- Loosen your clothing
- Lie down
If you’re helping someone experiencing a heart attack, look for a nearby automated external defibrillator (AED) in case they lose consciousness, and always be prepared to perform CPR.
Preventing heart attacks
While not all heart attacks can be avoided, there are certainly lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the likelihood of experiencing one. To prevent a heart attack, we recommend:
- Finding ways to manage your stress
- Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week
- Keeping your diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Regularly checking your blood pressure
Putting our heart Into caring for yours
No matter what heart symptoms you may experience, AdventHealth is dedicated to providing you with the world-class care you deserve. Visit AdventHealthKC.com/HEARTaware to take AdventHealth’s free, online assessment to understand your risk for developing heart disease. Learn more about cardiology care at HeartCareKC.com or find your nearest ER at AdventHealthKC.com/ER.
