Heart-Healthy Holidays: A Guide for the Season
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
By StoryStudio on November 1 , 2024
Luis Dlouhy, MD
Luis Dlouhy, MD, is a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Group.
— Luis Dlouhy, MD
Dr. Dlouhy: The mind/body connection is a real thing. When we begin to feel stressed, we feel it throughout our body. The holidays are a very stressful time for some people. We tend to not keep regular hours, we’re not eating as healthy as we should, not exercising regularly and all these things cause stress on the heart, especially for those who are already dealing with heart issues.
A 2023 survey by the American Heart Association showed that nearly 80% of respondents said they tend to ignore their health issues during the holiday season and that they find the holiday season more stressful than tax season. Luis Dlouhy, MD, provides some tips on how you can keep your heart healthy during this festive time of year.
Even if you’re traveling or feeling otherwise fine, stay on top of your prescriptions, including those for your heart. Missing a dose can affect the drug’s effectiveness. Try setting reminders on your phone if you have trouble remembering to take your meds, such as during the holidays, when your schedule may be a bit different than usual."
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— Luis Dlouhy, MD
Q: How much impact does holiday-related stress have on heart health?
Dr. Dlouhy: Some of the risk factors to look out for would be a rapid heartbeat on more than one occasion, discomfort in the chest, pressure or tightness in the chest, shortness of breath doing everyday tasks or exercising, excessive sweating, pain in the arm, back or neck, usually on the left side, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness. A heart attack can also lead to other serious problems such as cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, where the heart muscles are damaged and can no longer contract properly, and a heart rupture, where the muscles, walls, and valves in the heart split apart. If you experience any of these it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Q: What are some of the signs that stress is putting you at risk for a heart attack?
Dr. Dlouhy: I would encourage everyone to not put so much pressure on themselves during the season. Spend more quality time with your family, take 30-minute walks and enjoy nature, get together with friends you haven’t seen in a while, read a book or just do the normal things you do to relieve stress. Working extra hours to pay for gifts or worrying about making everything perfect can put a lot of unnecessary stress on the heart that can eventually lead to serious problems. Also, many of us tend to overeat and overindulge in alcohol consumption during the holiday season. While it’s certainly okay to eat your favorite foods or have a drink or two, it’s important to enjoy these things in moderation. Most of the foods we eat are usually high in fat and sodium. We tend to make a lot of foods with heavy cream, butter and a lot of salt. A high intake of salt can lead to high blood pressure, which, in turn, can lead to heart problems. In addition, when the holidays get busy, it’s easy to forget about taking your medications. Make sure you continue to take your medications and that you have plenty of refills if you are traveling away from home.
Q: What are some practical tips for managing holiday stress to protect heart health?
Dr. Dlouhy: I know many of us fill up a big plate with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes. While it’s fine to have all these foods, I would suggest putting it on a smaller plate. Instead of having two helpings of your mom’s apple pie, maybe just have one. As I said before, everything in moderation. One way of avoiding overindulgence is having a healthy snack that includes fruits and/or vegetables that will fill you up before dinner. It’s also important to maintain some kind of physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. While it might be hard to keep up that pace during the holidays, you can certainly go for a short walk with a family member or run around the park with your kids. I know there is always a lot going on, but eating in moderation and being active will help you keep your weight in check.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to avoid holiday weight gain but still enjoy traditional meals?
Q: How important is it to take time for yourself around the holidays?
It can be tempting to disregard healthy choices during the holidays, but this can have a negative impact on your heart health. Remember to monitor your health and how you feel. Even while traveling, it is important to pay attention to any pain or discomfort. Be sure to seek medical attention if something feels abnormal."
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Memorial Hermann offers comprehensive care when it comes to treating heart and vascular issues.
Dr. Dlouhy: We do see a rise in heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest and stroke around the holidays. In fact, the highest number of heart attacks are seen on Christmas Day, followed by the week leading up to New Year’s Day. If you experience any new chest pain that is limiting what you can do, especially when you are exercising, you should seek out a cardiologist. If you used to be able to play 18 holes of golf and now you are experiencing shortness of breath or becoming fatigued earlier in the round, you should seek out a cardiologist. It’s best to get ahead of the problem before it’s too late.
Q: Are there any specific warning signs during the holidays that indicate a person should seek medical attention for their heart?
Dr. Dlouhy: Being around family you have not seen in a while can bring up old wounds and cause a lot of stress. I would avoid talking about politics or bringing up old grudges. Look for ways to reduce your stress from painful family interactions by trying to remember the good times and not focus on the negative. It’s important to get the proper amount of sleep and trying to limit your activities. If finances are a problem, come up with a budget before the holiday season starts, so money doesn’t become a stressor. Most of all, just take a little time to do something for yourself. Whether it’s just sitting by yourself with a cup of coffee and a good book, it’s important that you prioritize your mental and physical health. Doing these small things can reduce stress and help you avoid serious heart problems during the holiday season.
To learn more about heart-healthy holidays, visit memorialhermann.org/heartholidays-pc
To receive a referral to a heart specialist, contact us at memorialhermann.org/heart-contact
