Most heart attack deaths tend to occur on three specific days during the holiday period.
In a national 2004 study published in Circulation, researchers at the University of California at San Diego and Tufts University School of Medicine found that there are 5 percent more heart-related deaths during the holiday season. The biggest days of the year for heart attacks are Christmas Day, Dec. 26 and New Year's Day.
There are factors that make these special holidays so dangerous and there are also things that you can do to help prevent this from happening.
During the holidays many of us have very poor dietary habits. People tend to eat fatty and salty foods and have very heavy filling meals. Many indulge in excess drinking and also exhibit a lack of exercise. Many people partake in holiday travel – this can lead to inadequate medical are as well as missed medications or doses.
It is a very stressful time of the year and many people will put off their regular medical care or delay care they might actually need. According to a 2006 survey by the American Psychological Association, 44% of women and 31 % of men report increased stress over the holidays.
How to prevent a heart attack this holiday season:
Most of the food choices at holiday parties and family gatherings are sources of saturated fats. Studies show a high-fat meal can lead to a dysfunction of the artery lining or so that very little blood passes through. So, if you already have a little bit of blockage, it closes off the vessel even more, and that can lead to a heart attack. We eat fatty foods throughout the holidays and the dysfunction in the artery lining can last 6 – 12 hours after eating. After several heavy meals, the arteries may not be able to go back to normal.
Experts advise avoiding fried appetizers and any fats that are solid at room temperature, such as frosting. And a simple tip to avoid overeating is to always keep one hand free to shake hands. At no time during a party should you ever have food in both hands simultaneously.
Alcohol is acutely toxic to the heart. It can literally irritate the heart muscle and increases the body's autopilot response to boost your blood pressure and your heart rate. The heart's natural pacemaker gets thrown off, and so does your heartbeat.
If you're drinking quite a bit more than usual, you change the way the heart responds.
Alcohol in moderation is known to be good for you in some cases. Alcohol does not need to be cut out entirely, but alternating with water will help.
Family get-togethers are inevitably known to cause stress. The study in Circulation found that people may feel stress from having to interact with relatives, absorb financial pressures such as purchasing gifts, traveling expenses, entertaining, decorating and having to travel. You need to know what causes your stress to limit these factors.
Loneliness and sadness is also a big stressor. If you know someone is sad or alone or recently lost a love one, call them and comfort them during the holidays.
Fine particulates from fireplace smoke can lodge in your lungs and trigger a clot and a heart attack. The particulates can also cause a spasm in the arteries, causing a heart attack.
Although there is no set distance because of variation in room ventilation, experts says try to stand six to eight feet away from a burning fireplace.
How to know if you might be having a heart attack
For women, symptoms of a heart attack may not be typical chest pain. Women can have symptoms of indigestion, shortness of breath and maybe sweating. Men are more likely to get the typical chest pain, along with shortness of breath or sweating.
If you think you're having a heart attack, call 9-1-1, then take an uncoated aspirin and chew it.
For a list of St. Luke’s emergency centers and the closest one to your community, go to www.stlukesemergency.com
