Minimizing Risk while Making Merry

Why hearts attacks increase during the winter holiday season is not entirely clear, but the fact that they do means that you need to pay particular attention to your health during the cold weather months.  Here are some tips to follow to keep you going through the holiday season and beyond:

-Enjoy special meals in moderation. Avoid or limit high fat items like gravy, fattier cuts of meat, and buttery side dishes, while including fresh vegetables and fruit.

-Drink alcoholic beverages sparingly, avoiding multiple drinks at one sitting.

-Maintain a regular exercise schedule to avoid weight gain and reduce stress. In frigid or bad weather, consider      indoor options, like a gym, mall-walking or a fitness DVD.

-If you do shovel, take your time. Proceed slowly and carefully and don’t over-exert yourself.

-Don’t skip your medications. If you’re traveling, pack twice as many in case your flight gets delayed and keep them in your carry-on bag if you’re traveling by air. Be sure to bring a list of medications, health issues, allergies and physicians with you, and keep this in your purse or wallet.

-If you are older than 65 or have heart disease risk factors, get a flu vaccine.

-If you have congestion in your nose or chest, avoid decongestants and use natural methods such as steam or neti pots.

Don’t allow the holidays to break your heart. Stay in tune with your body and be aware of any drastic changes, whether physical or emotional. By limiting intake of indulgent foods, taking time to de-stress, and seeking treatment for health issues as soon as they appear, you can ensure a holiday that’s not only heart-warming but heart-healthy, too.

Every holiday season, there is a five percent increase in heart-related deaths. To take charge of your heart health during this chaotic time, practice these simple tips.

• Plan for leftovers – Overeating and the so-called “food coma” sometimes comes at a high price. A big, high-fat meal diverts blood from the heart to the digestive system and can actually trigger a heart attack, angina or heart-related chest pain. Instead, invite friends over the following day for leftover brunch.
• Serve healthy foods – Fill your holiday table with heart-healthy sides, such as cauliflower mash and colorful vegetable sides.
• Make it a potluck – Have friends and family contribute to the evening by bringing one of their favorite dishes. This division of labor will allow for everyone to feel involved, and lessen the workload for the hosts.
• Limit your alcohol – Aside from a headache, too much alcohol can, in the long term, raise your blood pressure and, in the short term, trigger atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat that increases your risk of stroke.
• Stay active – Walking the shopping mall is one way to stay active, but if you can’t get through the crowds, put on a jacket and take a walk around the block or play a game of tag football in the backyard with family members. Thirty minutes of moving can be the best part of your day, and help burn some of those calories!
• Reduce stress – Remember that the holidays are about spending time with loved ones. So even if everything isn’t perfect, it’s still a time to gather and reminisce.
• Don’t ignore unusual pain or discomfort – If you experience chest pain or pressure, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, jaw or back pain, don’t assume it will go away. These are all symptoms of a potential heart attack and require prompt medical attention.
•  Don’t smoke know matter what it is – something tells me you knew this already.