Come Thanksgiving, come heart diseases.

At first glance, many of you may think this is a hyperbole or an unnecessary warning aimed to prevent you from enjoying the much-awaited holiday season; sadly, this is not so.

Researches have shown without doubt that the onset of the holiday season leads to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. These findings may be distributing, but they are not at all surprising – overindulgence when it comes to greasy and fatty foods and alcohol during the festive season is an open invitation to cardiovascular diseases. And they seldom disappoint.

“Merry Christmas Coronary” and “Happy New Year Heart Attack” phenomenon

In 1999, Dr. Robert A. Kloner, who works at the Heart Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, discovered that deaths due to heart attacks increased during the period of Thanksgiving and continued the upward spiral all through Christmas and New Year’s Day, after which it would subside.

Tips for a happy holiday season minus the risk of heart attacks

The festive season is for enjoyment, so don’t let heart disease mar your celebrations. By all means, enjoy your favorite food and drink during the holiday season, but do so in moderation.

Here are some tips that allow you to enjoy the holidays while keeping heart diseases at bay.

• Be aware of the amount of alcohol you consume. Dr. Kloner believes that an increase in alcohol consumption is a big contributor to heart diseases during the festive season. And one more thing- if you drink, then don’t drive. Spending the holiday season behind bars or on a hospital bed is not what anyone would want.
• Consume holiday drinks like apple cider in moderation. Typically, holiday drinks are rich in calories, and their overconsumption may increase your chances of developing a heart problem.
• Eat a light snack before going to a party or a family gathering, as this will prevent you from overeating. Remember, eat a healthy snack, otherwise, you may as well gorge on the food at party.
• Use a small plate. You may be surprised to find that when you use a small plate, you automatically eat less.
• Eat vegetables, fruits, and salad along with the high-fat foods you like so much.
• Spend some time doing some physical activity during the holiday season. Take a walk with your family or play with your kids.
• Avoid using too many candles. Candles and fireplaces contribute immensely to pollution, and studies show that this type of air pollution increases the risk of heart disease.
• Avoid stress. Plan your holidays well in advance and do your shopping early, so that you are able to relax during the festive season.

If you have high blood pressure, then it is imperative that you don’t overindulge or stress yourself during the holidays. It will also be a good idea to do some physical activity during the holidays.

Exercise helps you burn the extra calories that you are most likely to consume during the festive season and keeps your heart healthy and strong.

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