Are You at Risk of Having a Holiday Heart Attack?

The holidays are a time of joy, laughter, spending time with family, and friends. That is if we survive. Studies show that more un-hospitalized people die in the United States on Christmas day, from heart related problems then during any other time of year. According to research done on this subject the amount of people dying during the holidays are increasing yearly. The day after Christmas, December 26, is has the second highest number of heart related deaths. New Year's day came in third. Heart attacks aren't uncommon, but why is there such a dramatic increase in heart related deaths during the most happiest time of year?

There are several factors that can play a roll in having a holiday heart attack. The most obvious one is the changes we make in our diets. The average holiday meal has between 2,800 and 3,300 calories in it. Lets not forget about the Christmas cookies, holiday candies, and all the other goodies we splurge on. It's a known fact that we just eat to much in a short period of time, during the holiday season. Drinking too much Eggnog has also been linked to contributing to a heart attack. So should we avoid all the high fat holiday treats we love? Maybe, we don't need to avoid them completely, but we do need to limit how much we consume.

Stress is another large contributing factor to holiday heart attacks. After all, it just wouldn't be the holidays if we didn't have some stress. Even those who do not celebrate Christmas, are still at risk for developing major holiday stress. With lines in every store backed up, and traffic jams around every corner, everyone is subject to becoming a victim of stress. There is no avoiding it, but there is ways to control it. If you feel like the stress load is to much to handle, speak with your physician. There is medication available to help keep your stress levels down. There is also more natural ways to help you deal with stress such as hobbies, long walks, or a relaxing hot bath.

Alcohol use is perhaps the most overlooked issue during the holidays, in which contributes to heart problems. For some drinking is a way of dealing with stress, or fighting off the holiday blues. For most of us, we do it without really thinking about it. How many time had you had a glass of wine with your holiday meals, or to relax after a day of shopping? At casual family, and friend get together's, beer is often available. And lets not forget the Christmas parties, and social gatherings. In fact, I only drink Eggnog if it has a touch of alcohol in it, and I'm not a big drinker at all.

So, when you put these three factors together, we are all at risk. To avoid running the risk or having a heart attack. or other heart issues during the holidays, we should eat a little less, limit the alcohol, and try not to get to stressed out. Symptoms of a heart attack, or other heart related complications include:
Clammy Skin
Sweating
Pain in your chest, arms, and neck
Nausea
Tingling feeling in your limbs
Dizziness
Swelling
If you have any of the symptoms, or any other symptom that is not normal for you, or that has not been diagnosed by a physician, call your doctor, or go to the emergency room at once. It doesn't matter if your in the middle of a Christmas party, or cooking a Christmas dinner, symptoms are to taken seriously. It is better to have to postpone, or miss a holiday event, then to die.

I think that lowering the numbers are heart related deaths during the holidays are some what our responsibility. Remember to be kind to one another, not only will you make another persons day easier, but also your own. Don't eat everything that looks delicious, instead try sharing it with friends, and those who might not have as much as you. Try splashing your mixed drinks with just a touch of alcohol instead on mixing it strong. Alcohol also causes depression, so try to drink less then you normally do, during the holidays. Don't let money control you. It's only paper and cheap metal! There is no reason to stress out over holiday spending. Buy only what you can afford, and make what you can't. My favorite gift I got as a child was a doll my mother made for me. As an adult my favorite gift was a homemade fruitcake that was delicious. Of course that gift was re-gifted, I'm starting to think I'm one of only a few that enjoy fruitcake, but hopefully you get the idea.