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Doctor reveals that heart attacks are most common on Christmas Day for�three�reasons
A doctor revealed the three reasons why heart attacks are most common on Christmas Day, followed closely by Boxing Day and New Years Day.�
The Christmas period is undeniably stressful, largely due to the massive expenditure and planning it requires. But, as it turns out, the festive season poses a health risk, and its not when you run out of chocolate!
Heart attacks are really common over the Christmas period
Writing in the Mail Online, Doctor Michael Mosley explained that the American Medical Association says Christmas Day is the most common day of the year for heart attacks, Boxing Day and New Years Day are also high on the list.�
On top of that, a study presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in June this year found that we are far more likely to have a heart attack on a Monday than any other day of the week just the day that Christmas falls on this year, he wrote this week.�
Given that Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year, the increase in chance is potentially worrying.
Reason number one is shocking
The first explanation the Doctor gives for an increase in cardiac events is the cold weather, which might surprise some readers.�
Which means your heart must work harder to keep you warm; and it increases the risk of blood clots, which in turn means a greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke, he explained, adding that December is also the peak of flu season.
As predicted, another reason could be the dramatic increase in peoples eating habits. The massive caloric increase puts more strain on the heart, as do people drinking more than they usually would.�
The final reason is increased stress, which differs from person to person but could include the increase in social activity, planning events, and the financial impact.
Hope is not lost
While the Doctors warning seems quite bleak, there are ways to reduce the chance of a cardiac event while still having a good time.
He recommended: I try to minimise the amount of booze I drink by alternating a glass of water for every glass of alcohol.
Furthermore, if you dont want to give up snacking or swap the chocolate for a healthier option, then your best bet is to include some physical activity on Christmas day. This could be as simple as a brisk walk after your big lunch.
He continued: Since stress plays a big part in holiday-related heart attacks I’m going to be belting out the carols with extra enthusiasm, as research suggests singing not only boosts levels of endocannabinoids (feel-good chemicals your body produces), but it also improves markers of heart health, such as heart rate variability (i.e. the amount of time between each heartbeat), which is a powerful predictor of heart health.
