Although the holidays bring celebration, events, and family gatherings, this festive season can also be hectic, stressing your heart more than you may realize. Noticing symptoms like irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), feeling dizzy or out of breath, and experiencing chest pain can signal cardiac trouble.
“Certain cardiac events, such as heart attacks and heart failure flare-ups, become more common during this time of the year,” said Dr. Majid Mughal, interventional cardiologist at McLaren Greater Lansing Cardiovascular Associates. “People often lose sight of the need to make healthy decisions or prioritize self-care during this time of the year, so it’s important to monitor your health, including observing any red-flag symptoms.”
Common triggers of cardiac complications include stress, indulgence in rich, salty foods or alcohol, and overexertion. Dr. Mughal explains the risk factors and how to keep your heart healthy during the holiday season to avoid preventable trips to the emergency room.
Holidays Can Be Stressful
Between the endless events and the pressures of financial and social expectations, the holiday season can be overwhelming. Dr. Mughal advises prioritizing your well-being by sticking to your normal, day-to-day activities and making a point to take breaks for self-care, even when that’s hard to find during this time.
“With all of the distractions, it can be easy to forget about taking your medications, making sure you have enough medications on hand, and getting them refilled in a timely manner,” said Dr. Mughal. “If you’re diabetic, ensuring that you are monitoring your blood glucose levels is critical. In addition, those who have hypertension should consistently take their blood pressure and discuss with their doctor immediately if they are seeing any spikes that may mean they need to have their medication adjusted.”
Setting up reminders on your phone can be a helpful way to remember to take your medication while traveling or distracted with any holiday planning.
Diet
“Small changes in your diet can make a big impact, especially for patients who are suffering from heart failure or diabetes,” said Dr. Mughal. “Make sure you stick with a low-sodium diet, and carefully monitor your alcohol consumption and sugar intake.”
Alcohol is linked with heart palpitations and increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib). Heavier drinking may also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
“A good way to monitor your heart rate is to wear a health-monitoring device such as a Fitbit or a smart watch with the ability to signal if there has been a change in your heartbeats or rhythm,” said Dr. Mughal.
Physical Strain During Winter Months
Particularly during the winter months, snow shoveling poses a significant risk to the heart, primarily for those who are generally sedentary or already manage cardiac conditions.
“Cold temperatures affect the arteries in our body, causing them to constrict and blood pressure to rise, making the heart work harder,” said Dr. Mughal. “Activities such as snow shoveling can be risky for people who have heart disease, which can lead to a sudden cardiac event.”
Other people at risk of overexerting their heart while participating in heavy lifting and harder physical activities they aren’t used to doing include those who are overweight or obese; those who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes; and those who smoke or have a smoking history.
“Take lots of breaks, and don’t overdo it,” said Dr. Mughal. “Ask a family member or friend to help with household duties that would otherwise cause you unnecessary strain that your body isn’t used to.”
Don’t Ignore Your Symptoms
If you are having any shortness of breath or chest discomfort followed by pounding in your chest, these symptoms should be addressed in the emergency room to rule out anything more serious, like a heart attack.
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