The following is a message from Wellspan Health:
The holidays are a time for family and friends, and festive feasts. It’s also the time for heart problems. According to a study published in Circulation, more cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than on any other day of the year.
Many people change their habits during the holidays. They eat and drink more, exercise less, travel to visit family, and rush around to fit in everything. All of these things can impact your heart and lead you to not seek or delay getting help. Doctors have given it a nickname “holiday heart syndrome” to warn against this phenomenon.
Alcohol is one of the biggest causes of holiday heart syndrome. It can increase your odds of experiencing atrial fibrillation within the next few hours, even if you only had one glass of wine or beer. This condition can lead to stroke or heart failure if left untreated.
Symptoms of holiday heart syndrome include a fluttering, racing, or pounding heartbeat, discomfort in your chest, dizziness or light-headedness, trouble breathing, sweating or anxiety, lack of energy, and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help immediately at your doctor’s office.
It’s important to avoid binge drinking and limit yourself to two drinks a day. For women, no more than one drink a day. In addition, it’s important to drink plenty of water, at least 11-15 cups a day. Healthy adults should also limit their caffeine intake to 400 milligrams a day, which is equivalent to four cups of brewed coffee or two energy drinks.
Finally, it’s important to reduce stress in your life. This can be done by making a plan for the holidays, setting boundaries, and deciding what’s most important. Take a walk with your family to look at holiday decorations, but park the car a little farther from the store or your office to avoid traffic. Getting regular exercise can also help lower your stress levels.
By following these tips, you can help yourself avoid holiday heart syndrome and have a happy and healthy holiday season.