5 expert tips to treat your heart well this holiday season

It’s that time of year again when we gather with loved ones to celebrate the holiday season. This year, when you enjoy a delicious holiday meal with friends and family, over-indulge in all the festivities, and call up those unresolved issues from childhood, remember to be mindful of your heart health.

According to a study published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), more cardiac deaths occur December 25 than on any other day of the year. The second largest number of cardiac deaths occurs on December 26, and the third largest number occurs January 1. Given these findings, keeping your heart healthy should be a priority during the holidays.

“Investing in your heart health doesn’t have to dim your joyful spirit,” said Philip Nimoityn, M.D., FACC, clinical cardiologist at Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia at Jefferson and attending physician at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “There are many ways to enjoy all the holiday season traditions while still focusing on your health and well-being. By keeping everything in moderation, reducing stress and inflammation levels, and knowing what signs to look out for, you can make the most of the time you spend with friends, family and other loved ones this year.”

Dr. Nimoityn shares five essential tips to help you navigate the holiday season while taking care of your heart.

1. Celebrate the holiday food and drinks in moderation

During the holidays, you may find yourself indulging in rich foods and alcoholic beverages. You don’t have to give up these holiday treats. However, aim to enjoy them in moderation, as overindulgence can strain your heart.

For example, when you eat a large holiday meal, your body diverts blood from the heart to your digestive tract. If you’ve experienced a cardiovascular event or are at risk of a heart attack or stroke, a holiday binge could turn a festive get-together into a dangerous situation. Similarly, heavy drinking can trigger rhythm and other heart problems.

So, when you gather around that festive dinner table, eat slowly, stick to regular portion sizes and think twice before drinking a second spiked eggnog!

2. Stay active

Colder weather can make staying active challenging. However, regular physical activity is critical to keeping your heart healthy.

As part of your winter routine, set time aside for exercise to keep your blood moving and reduce holiday stress. Whether it’s bundling up to go on a holiday stroll with family and/or your loved ones, partaking in the annual turkey trot, enrolling in a fitness class or dancing to a holiday playlist, movement is your heart’s best friend.

On the other hand, sudden, heavy exertion — like shoveling all the snow off that driveway in one continuous effort — could cause trouble. The conclusion on moving is don’t skip your usual exercise routine and don’t go overboard with sudden, superhero exertion.

3. Have your inflammation levels checked

You might be familiar with inflammation as your body’s natural defense against illness and injury. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cholesterol and plaque build-up in your arteries can also trigger an inflammatory response and, if left untreated, can damage your heart and other healthy tissues. There’s good news though; this holiday season, one simple, easily available test can measure your high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and give you a clearer picture of your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

If your hs-CRP levels are high, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication, low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, to further reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg is the first and only therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration shown to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. The once-daily oral tablet can be used alone or in combination with a patient’s current lipid-lowering medication and has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiac events in patients by 31% and by 23% after a recent heart attack.

Ask your doctor today to learn more about your inflammation levels and cardiovascular risk!

4. Know the warning signs of a heart attack

Not all heart attacks are sudden and intense. Knowing the signs of a heart attack can save lives, including your own.

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but according to the AHA, early signs include:

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Pay attention to your body. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

5. Stick to your medication