Introduction
The holidays are a time for celebration and indulgence, but it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re eating and drinking. Studies have shown that holiday eating and drinking habits can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks. This is due to the fact that the combination of high-fat, high-sugar foods and alcohol can cause an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can lead to an increased risk of heart attack. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with holiday eating and drinking habits and to take steps to reduce your risk. This article will discuss the potential risks associated with holiday eating and drinking habits and provide tips for reducing your risk.
Holiday Eating & Drinking Habits Can Lead to More Heart Attacks
The holidays are a time for celebration, but they can also be a time for increased risk of heart attack. Eating and drinking habits that are common during the holidays can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, especially for those who already have heart disease.
Eating large meals, drinking alcohol, and consuming high-fat and high-sugar foods can all contribute to an increased risk of heart attack. Eating large meals can cause the body to produce more cholesterol, which can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of heart attack, as it can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of blood clots.
High-fat and high-sugar foods can also contribute to an increased risk of heart attack. Eating these types of foods can cause the body to produce more cholesterol, which can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Eating too much of these types of foods can also lead to weight gain, which can further increase the risk of heart attack.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with holiday eating and drinking habits. Those with existing heart disease should be especially careful to avoid these habits. Eating smaller meals, avoiding alcohol, and limiting high-fat and high-sugar foods can help reduce the risk of heart attack.
The end-of-the-year holidays may be a time to get together with friends and family while celebrating in various joyful ways. That might include indulging in delicious meals, tempting desserts, and perhaps more than just a few glasses of wine or seasonably themed cocktails. While tasty treats and boozy beverages may be part of the holiday fun, they can also lead to more fatal heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association.
The AHA points to three studies that confirm the increased risk of deadly heart attacks around the holidays. The first, published by Circulation, found that more fatal heart attacks happen on Christmas Day (December 25), while December 26 was found to be the second most fatal day when it comes to heart attacks, followed by New Year’s Day (January 1).
Although some may assume that the colder weather is a major factor when it comes to deadly heart issues, a second study in Circulation found a significant increase in the number of fatal heart attacks around the holidays in warmer areas such as Los Angeles County, with more heart attacks happening in December and January compared to the summer months and early fall.
A third study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association backed up these findings with results from New Zealand where the holidays occur during the warmer summer months.
“The holidays are a busy, often stressful, time for many of us. Routines are disrupted; we may tend to eat and drink more […] We also may not be listening to our bodies or paying attention to warning signs, thinking a trip to the doctor can wait until after the new year,” noted American Heart Association Chief Clinical Science Officer Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA.
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“It’s important to accentuate the importance of proper diet and stress management techniques to reduce risk of CVD and serious cardiac events during the winter holidays,” Kiran Campbell, RD, tells Eat This, Not That! “And of course, do not brush off any potential warning signs of heart issues. If you’re having any chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or pain in your upper body, you should talk to your doctor to help evaluate what could have caused these symptoms, so not to make them worse.”
Campbell also has some tips on how to take part in the holiday fun without increasing the risk of heart issues.
“There are several things you can do to prevent a cardiac event during the holiday season while still enjoying the seasonal food and drinks,” says Campbell. “For example, try not to overindulge in anything, whether it be eating sweets, high-fat or sodium foods, or alcoholic beverages.”
“Practicing moderation is something many people need to work on. And many also aren’t aware of what a standard serving size is for specific foods and even alcohol,” explains Campbell. “But educating yourself on this knowledge could be the very factor that prevents you from suffering a heart attack this season.”
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