The American Heart Association calls it the “holiday heart syndrome” because it occurs during the Christmas and New Year holidays. According to Heart.org, it has long been observed the number of deaths due to cardiac arrest and related causes dramatically increase during the long holiday season. And this is true not only in the United States and Europe, but also in other countries like New Zealand and the Philippines.
Not Just The Cold Weather
According to a Huffington Post report, the cold winter weather is not the only culprit for heart attacks. Earlier studies showed that cold weather can restrict the blood vessels and therefore cause extra stress on the heart. A comparison study of New Zealanders however showed even in summer weather, cardiac events increase in occurrence. New Zealand, unlike the U.S. and Europe, celebrates Christmas during their summer season.
The study, conducted by the University of Melbourne, looked at data about deaths from 1988 to 2013 and found out that there is a 4 percent increase in the number of the cardiac events from December 25 to January 7, compared to other periods in the year.
Among the reasons cited for the increase is the lack of immediate access to health care services and facilities since most people would be traveling during the holiday season. Another is the tendency of people to overindulge during the many parties and social occasions.
Tips On Preventing “Holiday Heart Syndrome”
The Huffington Post article recommends that people who have a history of cardiac events must find out what health care facilities are available if they are traveling. People normally do not seek medical attention if they are unsure of what is there. If one is unfamiliar with the place, it would be good to ask a local host for information or search for information online.
According to an Inquirer report, people should practice moderation when it comes to holiday eating and drinking. Overeating and binge drinking can definitely lead to additional stress on one’s circulation. Because cold temperatures can also affect circulation, people are also advised to wear warm clothing when appropriate.
Other triggers for cardiac events should also be avoided, such as emotional stress and anger as well as too much physical activity. During parties, one should also keep away from smokers, or better yet, keep your parties smoke-free.