CHRISTMAS marks one of the most festive times of the year. From buying gifts to gathering with loved ones, there’s always something to look forward to. Not to mention the tempting, mouth-watering food and drinks. Diet and exercise get thrown out the window and many of us are caught overindulging in these delicacies.

At Partner’s Heart and Health, we’d like to caution you about these dangerous practices. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) Journals, heart attacks increase by approximately 25 per cent during this holiday. More people die from heart attacks annually between December 25 to January 1 compared to any other time of the year. There could be numerous reasons for this spike. Increased stress, unhealthy diet choices, and lack of exercise are contributary. Arguably, the most important factor is that some patients take too long to get medical attention if they are having symptoms.

It’s imperative that in this season we all act responsibly and pay close attention to any concerning symptoms. That heartburn you are feeling may not be from the oxtail — this could instead be a warning sign of a heart attack. Other symptoms may include chest pain that feels like tightness, pressure or squeezing, shortness of breath, cold sweats, feeling dizzy or light-headed, or blacking out. It can’t be stressed enough that you should not delay getting medical attention if you are having these symptoms. The sooner you get evaluated and treated, the greater your chances are for survival.

Here are some tips to help you lower your risk of having a heart attack this season:

1) Stay active. The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week — that’s 30 minutes per day for five days. Get creative and involve the family.

2) Manage stress. Reduce the financial burden by creating a realistic budget. Share tasks with other family members and rest periodically to avoid burnout.

3) Celebrate in moderation. There is such a saying that too much of one thing is good for nothing. Eat smart and make healthy choices. This doesn’t mean depriving yourself but instead, eat and drink in moderation. Reduce salt, cholesterol and alcohol intake.

4) Maintain compliance. Take your meds as prescribed — especially if you have pre-existing heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. Refill meds and keep appointments with your doctor.

Partners Heart and Health, your partners for life, wants everyone to make note of these important suggestions. We must take better care of ourselves. Let’s do what is wise in order to enjoy more holidays to come with the ones we love, and prevent a celebration from becoming a tragedy.