Circulation<\/a>, Christmas and the New Year are peak periods for increased cardiac deaths. The researchers discuss several factors as\u00a0to why this might be\u00a0the case.<\/p>\nFirst, most of us experience\u00a0changes in diet and alcohol consumption. And those changes are not in the direction of health! During the holidays, people tend to gain weight while consuming more fatty meals and take in more salt–both factors that can stress an already weakened heart.<\/p>\n
In looking at death certificates during the holiday season, the researchers also suspect that increased emotional stress plays a role as well. The holidays often force us to interact with family and relatives we may not want to be with normally. Stress levels rise along with family conflict. Too much stress can damage your heart.<\/p>\n
Financial pressures also heighten during the holidays. There are gifts to buy, travel to book, entertainment and decorating costs. \u00a0All of this can tax your budget and your heart.\u00a0When those bills show up in January, it can be a bit of a shock.<\/p>\n
While we love the image of the roaring fireplace, burning wood may also play a role in heart problems. Burning \u00a0wood can prompt respiratory issues due to the release of toxic material into the air. Furthermore, airborne pollutants have been associated with an increase in cardiac events and blood pressures\u00a0increases.<\/p>\n
To add to all these concerns, if\u00a0\u00a0you have a cardiac event, \u00a0your regular doctors might be on vacation and care will be provided\u00a0by those less familiar with your on-going health needs. And even if\u00a0your doctor works the holiday shifts, many of us are hesitant to see a doctor during the holidays because we think we\u00a0can power through warning signs\u00a0and put off\u00a0medical attention until after all the celebrations.<\/p>\n
Finally, colder weather can lead to increased vascular resistance, coronary spasm, hemostasis and clot\u00a0formation. Throw into the mix\u00a0decreased hours of daylight and you have additional problems with\u00a0mood and stress.<\/p>\n
Since we don’t know exactly what causes\u00a0this rise in coronary problems this time of year, it makes sense to do a few things to possibly prevent\u00a0a\u00a0Merry Christmas Coronary.<\/p>\n
\n- If you have cardiac symptoms, don’t delay and go for help.<\/li>\n
- Know the triggers for cardiac events such as too much\u00a0physical exertion from\u00a0shoveling snow.<\/li>\n
- Watch your diet to avoid \u00a0excess salt and alcohol and overeating. Alcohol can bring on arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation often referred to as the “holiday heart syndrome.”<\/li>\n
- Avoid inhaling smoke from wood burning fire places.<\/li>\n
- Manage your emotional stress and take time-outs to clear your head and set healthy expectations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Let’s not add a\u00a0Merry Christmas Coronary\u00a0to our gift list!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here is a gift you don’t want to receive\u00a0this holiday season–a Merry Christmas Coronary! Take it off your list! Unfortunately, naughty or nice, you may be at risk. According to\u00a0researchers who published\u00a0in the Journal, Circulation, Christmas and the New Year are peak periods for increased cardiac deaths. The researchers discuss several factors as\u00a0to why this…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4100],"tags":[4299,4298,4296,4300,4297],"class_list":["post-10455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","tag-festive-stress","tag-heart-and-stress","tag-holiday-heart-syndrome","tag-holiday-stress-and-heart-attack","tag-merry-christmas-coronary"],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Avoid a Merry Christmas Coronary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2018\/12\/festive-stress-preventing-merry-unmerry.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Avoid a Merry Christmas Coronary\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here is a gift you don’t want to receive\u00a0this holiday season–a Merry Christmas Coronary! Take it off your list! Unfortunately, naughty or nice, you may be at risk. According to\u00a0researchers who published\u00a0in the Journal, Circulation, Christmas and the New Year are peak periods for increased cardiac deaths. 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Take it off your list! Unfortunately, naughty or nice, you may be at risk. According to\u00a0researchers who published\u00a0in the Journal, Circulation, Christmas and the New Year are peak periods for increased cardiac deaths. 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Her media experience includes seven years as the resident expert for ABC Family\u2019s Living the Life television show and regular appearances on network television and radio. It is often said that being with Dr. Linda is like having coffee with a friend. She makes the complicated issues of relationships and mental health easy to understand and applicable to everyday living. The ease she has with people, coupled with her clinical training and experience makes her a sought-after speaker on college campuses, conferences and special events. Whether she is doing a TV skit with Tim Conway or discussing teen violence with Queen Latifa, Dr. Linda will entertain, educate and integrate faith and mental health in everyday living. 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Here is a gift you don’t want to receive\u00a0this holiday season–a Merry Christmas Coronary! Take it off your list! Unfortunately, naughty or nice, you may be at risk.<\/p>\n