You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Die...Protect Yourself From the "Christmas Coronary"

While the Christmas carols may have made you believe that the biggest cause of death around the holidays is getting stampeded by a pack of reindeer-especially if you're a grandma-studies have shown that your ticker may be in danger this time of year.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and Tufts University School of Medicine examined 53 million U.S. death certificates from 1973 to 2001 and found that there was nearly a five percent increase in heart-related deaths, as well as non-cardiac fatalities, during the holidays. Previous studies had indicated that heart attacks increased during the colder months, which at first led researchers to believe that the drop in temperature was to blame, but this study showed that there were distinct spikes in the number of cardiac deaths on Christmas and New Year's. They suggested that other factors might be at play including an increase in emotional stress and changes in diet and alcohol consumption, but after some testing, they found that even these theories had holes in them. Perhaps, they said, the surge in deaths during this time of the year could be attributed to people putting off medical treatment due to parties, planning and other yuletide distractions or individuals who are sick may will themselves to make it to another holiday milestone. More studies are needed to determine the causes of what scientists are calling the "Merry Christmas Coronary" and "Happy New Year Heart Attack" phenomenon.
Until then experts suggest taking the following "commonsense and prudent" steps, especially if you are prone to cardiac disease, to keep yourself healthy throughout the entire holiday season.

-Don't delay seeking medical attention, especially if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, arm pain, upper back pain or abnormal sweating. These could all be early signs of a heart attack. If any of your relatives complain of these symptoms, get them to a doctor immediately.
-Anyone with a cardiac condition should avoid known triggers for acute myocardial infarction, including excess physical exertion (especially shoveling snow), overeating, lack of sleep, emotional stress, illegal drugs, and anger.
-Avoid excess salt and alcohol intake. (Alcohol can also precipitate arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation [the "holiday heart syndrome"] and can depress cardiac contractility.)
-Seek out treatment if you have any of these cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia.
-Ask your doctor if you should be taking aspirin. A daily aspirin can lower your risk of a heart attack for men over 45 and it can ward of strokes in women over 55, but it's also associated with stomach bleeding. Your physician can help you decide if this preventative measure is right for you.
-Avoid exposure to severely cold temperatures.
-Stay clear of high levels of pollutants by abstaining from participating in outdoor activities on days when air pollution alerts are issued and avoid inhaling smoke from wood-burning fireplaces.
-Consider flu shots where appropriate.

Finally, stress can wreak havoc on your health in many ways. It can trigger you to overeat, light up a cigarette or scarf down a box of Mallomars. Stress also leads to weight gain, high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart disease.

Yes, I know you're juggling a lot these days - work, family and finding the time to trim the tree, hang the lights, fulfill everyone's wish lists and plan a Clark Griswald-worthy holiday bash. The best way to keep your stress under control is to budget your time so that you can check everything off your to-do list without geting frazzled. Also, schedule in time for exercise, sleep, socializing with friends, watching your favorite holiday flick, and other stress-busting activities that will help you recharge so you don't burn out faster than a string of cheap Christmas lights.