Excessive amounts of rich food. Tense conversations with the in-laws. A snow-covered driveway resistant to shoveling. Certain things define our winter holidays, whether we want them to or not. Sadly, heart attacks and strokes belong on this list, given the surge in rates during the silly season. Why is this the case? And what can you do to lower your risk? Let’s unpack these questions in detail.
Why do heart attack and stroke rates surge during the holidays?
Little research exists that pinpoints an exact reason why heart attack and stroke rates surge during the holidays. The fact is, they do. Research published in the medical journal Circulation found that Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve pose a higher risk for cardiac and noncardiac mortality. It also found these rates were increasing each year.
But why? The research pointed to a number of reasons. Bitter temperatures that cause our blood vessels to constrict and our blood pressure to rise. The often-abrupt shift in diets, paired with increased amounts of alcohol. The stress of condensed interactions with family members. Delays in seeking help during this time of the year. It’s likely a combination of all these reasons. Consider them all, especially if you or someone you know is at risk.
Heart attacks and strokes: The symptoms to look for
No two heart attacks strike identically. The same goes for strokes. That said, there are common symptoms and common signals you must be aware of, particularly if you or someone you’re spending the holidays with is at risk of either. If you’ve recently completed one of the many accredited fast track nursing programs online, you’ll be well-versed in these symptoms. If not, read on.
Let’s look at heart attack symptoms first.
Heart attack symptoms
Ask a thousand people for a heart attack symptom and a thousand people will say chest pain. Fair, given that the heart resides in your chest. Along with this, jaw, arm, or shoulder pain, nausea, and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms, for women and men. Women experience more warning signs than men, less obvious than the signs above. These include pressure in the upper abdomen, indigestion, fainting, and extreme fatigue.
Stroke symptoms
The most effective action against a stroke, for men and women, is to use the acronym BEFAST, which stands for the following:
- BALANCE
Are you suddenly having trouble with your balance?
2.EYES
Blurred or double-vision? Loss of sight without pain?
3.FACE
Look in the mirror. Has your face started drooping or feeling numb? Can you smile?
4.ARMS
Is one arm numb? Can you raise both arms?
5.SPEECH
Have you started slurring your speech?
6.TIME
If you or anyone else displays these signs, get help immediately.
Again, women may also display symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, and nausea, common heart attack symptoms. The lesson? Be prepared for both.
Suspect a heart attack or stroke? Here’s what to do
Time is precious here. We can’t state this enough. You must act quickly if someone near you displays any warning signs above. Much of the action you can take applies to heart attacks and strokes. For clarity, we’ll outline everything.
What to do if someone’s having a heart attack
First things first, call 911. Have the person stop all activity and rest in a comfortable position. Gently loosen any tight or uncomfortable clothing. Stay with them until paramedics arrive.
What not to do if someone’s having a heart attack
Don’t drive them to the hospital. Don’t assume it’s a false alarm due to their good health. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms worsen.
What to do if someone’s having a stroke
Call 911. Note the time the symptoms started, for paramedics. Help the person lie down (on their side, head slightly elevated) and gently loosen any clothing that might restrict their breathing.
What not to do if someone’s having a stroke
Don’t drive them to the hospital. Don’t give them food, drink, or aspirin.
Tips for keeping your healthy heart (all year)
Your heart is the engine that keeps your body, mind, and soul running; failing to keep it healthy can have irreversible, even fatal consequences. Maintaining your heart is a year-round task, not a once-a-year tune-up before the silly season.
The better you maintain your heart, the less maintenance it demands. A healthy heart gives back more than it takes, so take the time to invest in its well-being. Here are three essential tips for doing so:
- Eat healthy
A healthy body is built on two pillars; eating healthy is one of them. There’s no getting around this fact. What you feed your body directly translates to what you get from it, so feed it well, daily.
You already know the drill. Fruit and vegetables, always. Lean meats, lots of fish. Less and less salt. It’s about forming good eating habits and sticking to them. This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your family’s Christmas lunch. Just add a few healthy elements and your body will feel all the more festive.
2.Stay active
Regular exercise is the other pillar. Sadly, it’s the pillar we neglect most when winter arrives. Unless you live for outdoor winter activities, you’ll probably be on the couch more during the winter holidays. Which is fine, as long as you break this sedentary routine with regular exercise.
Our advice: get creative. If you’re snowed in for a few days, develop an indoor exercise routine for your home. For example, spend 20 minutes each morning briskly walking your flight of stairs. The goal is not to feel like you’ve run a marathon; it’s about raising your heart rate.
3.Foster a relationship with your doctor
This is essential, regardless of your heart’s health. Fostering a positive relationship with your doctor is like making a friend whose only goal is to keep you healthy. They have professional advice you can lean on for any health issue, especially issues linked to your heart.
Your appointments will be few and far between if you’re young and spritely. But if you’re someone at risk of heart disease, having a regular check-up can mean the difference between celebrating next Christmas and not. This is a patient-by-patient approach, so work with your doctor to develop the best heart plan for you.
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There’s no magic pill, no easy fix with heart health. Nor should there be. Your heart is too precious to be undervalued with short-term schemes. You have to treat it well every day, as best you can. It will appreciate your sustained effort, trust us. And you will appreciate feeling your best during the holidays and beyond.