(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It may be the season of giving, but it’s also the season of heart attacks.
More deadly heart attacks happen on Christmas Day than any other day of the year. There are also spikes on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.
Cardiologist Dr. Patricia Vassallo with Northwestern Medicine says cold weather, holiday stress and even shoveling snow can strain your heart, especially if you already have a condition to stay safe.
This holiday season, they recommend you dress warm before heading outside, limit alcohol consumption and pay attention to warning signs like chest pain or dizziness.
“Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder to pump blood,” Dr. Vassallo said in a written statement.
“At the same time, stress around the holidays and disrupted routines — like less sleep, more alcohol and skipped medications — add to the strain. Overexertion from winter chores like shoveling heavy snow can further increase the risk, especially in people with existing heart conditions.”
Another time researchers have seen an increase in heart attacks, Mondays. Dr. Vassallo says that shows the impact stress can have on heart health.
Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack. Others include: nausea or vomiting; dizziness; shortness of breath; pain or numbness in jaw, neck, back of shoulders; cold sweat; heartburn; and fatigue.
For strokes, there is the mnemonic device, FAST: “Face drooping, Arm or leg weakness on one side, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911.”
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