The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but all that cheer can sometimes be hard on your heart. Rich meals, busy schedules and alcohol consumption contribute to a spike in cardiac emergencies during this time of year. A study in the British Medical Journal shows the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s are especially high-risk, with heart attacks peaking on Christmas Eve.
One issue to watch out for is “holiday heart syndrome,” which often shows up after moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and can lead to an abrupt onset of atrial fibrillation (AFib). It can cause symptoms like a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath and even fainting. While these episodes sometimes resolve on their own, they can still be frightening and dangerous. Knowing the risks and taking simple steps to protect your heart can help you fully enjoy the season — and many more to come.
Listen to Your Body and Don’t Delay Care This season, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to how you’re feeling. Symptoms like chest pain, discomfort in your arms or jaw, nausea or lightheadedness can all signal a heart attack or other emergency. The sooner you seek help, the better your outcome is likely to be. Remember: putting off care to avoid disrupting holiday plans isn’t worth the risk. If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Keep Up with Your Medications Between holiday travel, closures and the hectic nature of the season, it’s easy to lose track of your medications. However, skipping doses or running out can be dangerous, especially if you have a heart condition. Make sure your prescriptions are refilled before pharmacies close and set a reminder to take them as prescribed. This small step can make a big difference in keeping your heart healthy.
Skip the Extra Round of Drinks Holiday parties and family gatherings often mean raising a glass, but too much alcohol can lead to a sudden episode of holiday heart syndrome or worse. Binge drinking, which is more than five drinks in two hours for men or four for women, raises your blood pressure and disrupts your heart rhythm.
Even moderate drinking can increase your risk of heart-related events for days afterward. For the best heart health, limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day. If you’re thinking about skipping alcohol altogether, your heart will thank you. More and more studies suggest that minimizing alcohol is important for optimal sleep and cardiovascular health. Over the long term, habitual drinking of more than five alcoholic beverages per week may have the potential for adverse health consequences.
Take a Moment to Breathe Let’s face it: the holidays are stressful. From shopping to cooking to entertaining guests, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, all that stress can take a toll on your heart by raising your blood pressure and triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response.
Make it a point to carve out time for yourself. A brisk walk, a quiet moment with a cup of tea, or even some deep breaths can go a long way in keeping your stress levels — and your heart — in check.
Celebrate Smart and Stay Heart-Healthy The holidays are about joy and connection, and keeping your heart healthy means you can savor every moment. By moderating alcohol, managing stress, and keeping up with your medications, you’ll give yourself the best gift of all: good health.
Give yourself a gift this season by taking care of your heart. After all, a healthy heart will help you enjoy many more holidays to come.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and chief of cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty in treating Atrial fibrillation, go to Healthcare.ascension.org or call 904-388-1820.
