Understanding Holiday Heart Attacks
The holiday season brings feelings of joy and gratitude, but it also brings on excessive stress. In fact, the number of heart-related events and deaths increases by 5% during the holiday season in the U.S. With such high statistics, it’s important to understand what causes this spike in heart attacks to try to avoid them.
Shoveling Can Trigger Heart Attacks
Clearing the snow from your driveway and walkways during the winter is a strenuous physical activity. Unfortunately, many people tasked with this wintertime chore don’t exercise regularly throughout the year. This increased strain on your heart mixed with increased blood pressure from the cold airmakes your blood more likely to clot and cause a heart attack.
Increased Levels of Stress
Although stress cannot directly cause a heart attack, it does increase your risk for having one because it directly affects other areas of your heart health. Prolonged exposure to the hormones released during your body’s stress response can cause the following cardiovascular issues:
- High blood pressure
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Microvascular disease (MVD)
Unhealthy Holiday Traditions
The holidays tend to hand food and alcohol-centric traditions that can wreak havoc on your heart health. Spending several weeks eating a high-fat diet and drinking in excess can put a sudden increased strain on your heart, leading to heart attacks.
Contact Kirby Medical Center
At Kirby Medical Center, we are dedicated to helping our community learn how to stay healthy and safe. If you are concerned about your health risks and the types of vaccines that are right for you,
contact Kirby Medical Center at 217-762-2115 to learn more about how we can assist with all your healthcare needs.