Mayo Clinic: I once read that heart attacks occur more often around holidays. Why does this happen? Is there anything I can do to lower my risk? I am currently on blood pressure medication and have heart disease in my family.
answer: Heart attacks, along with heart disease in general, occur more often around the holidays. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, travel, disrupted schedules, dietary changes, and even environmental factors. Fortunately, many self-care steps can help keep your heart healthy.
One of the biggest challenges during this time is eating healthy. For people with cardiovascular health issues, choosing heart-healthy meals when there’s so much holiday food available can be daunting. However, it is important not to stray too far from your normal diet.
Keep portion sizes in moderation and limit fatty foods. For some people with heart problems, eating too much can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. If you drink alcohol, limit it to small amounts, as alcohol can cause heart rhythm problems and increase your risk of heart attack. Men should not drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Women shouldn’t have more than one.
Watch the amount of salt, or sodium, you consume. When your heart’s pumping ability decreases or you suffer from heart failure, your ability to manage fluids and process salt decreases. In these cases, a low-sodium diet is often recommended to limit fluid retention. However, it can be difficult to control sodium when eating out or at someone else’s home. Ask your cook if they can limit the amount of salt added. Find out which foods are low in salt. Limit canned and prepared foods, as well as gravies and sauces, as they tend to be high in sodium.
Travel and schedule changes can also interfere with your heart health during the holidays. If you change time zones or move away from your daily routine, it can be difficult to take your medications on time. However, it is important to take the prescribed medication correctly. Set reminders for yourself or ask someone to help you stay on track. If you are planning to travel to another time zone, ask your pharmacist if you need to reschedule your medication.
Wood stoves and fireplaces may be used more in the winter, but proper ventilation is important. There is considerable data showing that increased exposure to certain pollutants and particulate matter can increase the risk of both heart and lung problems. Older adults and people with heart disease should consider dressing in layers and limit their exposure to wood smoke. Please continue to practice self-care at home as much as possible. For example, if you want to weigh yourself daily to maintain your fluid balance, find a scale that allows you to do so. If walking is part of your daily routine, invite your family to enjoy some exercise together.
Finally, it’s important to keep stress in check. Increased stress can increase your risk of heart attack. We think of the holidays as a time of joy, but that’s not always the reality. For some people, holidays can be sad and stressful. If you are in such a situation, try to get some rest. Plan and do what is reasonable. If feelings of sadness or depression persist for more than two weeks, consult a medical professional.
If you feel unwell, please seek help. Don’t ignore your symptoms just because you don’t feel like disrupting your holiday gathering. Tell someone right away if you notice new or changing chest discomfort, especially if it spreads to your back, arms, neck, or jaw. Other symptoms of heart problems include shortness of breath, feeling slimy or light-headed, irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the legs. It is especially important to see your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they do not improve after taking your usual medications.
The holiday season is a time of high risk for heart disease, especially for people with heart disease. Pay attention to your body. Try to live a heart-healthy lifestyle whenever possible. And above all, if you have symptoms of heart problems, seek help immediately. — Dr. Sharon HayesDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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