Dear Dr. Garner,

I hope my story can be of help to others. Every year, Christmas is sad for me. About five years ago, my husband was out shoveling snow on Christmas Day, and had a sudden heart attack and passed away.

I feel that if he had listened to me and taken it easy, that he would still be here today. Perhaps those who read this letter can avoid what happened to me.

Sad Christmas in Canarsie

 

Dear Sad,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Heart attack deaths are highest on three days of the year: Christmas, the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

These heart problems have been nicknamed the “Merry Christmas Coronary” and the “Happy New Year’s Heart Attack.”

There are reasons for this spike in heart attacks, which include: delays in getting treatment or follow-up; overeating; increased alcohol use; decreased exercise; stress due to emotions associated with the holiday season; and high-fat meals.

It is surprising that a large number of people who have no previous history of heart disease have heart attacks on Christmas. It is important to make changes in your lifestyle.

Avoid exerting yourself physically, particularly if you are not in good shape. Heavy snow like the one you described is a big culprit.

Cold weather constricts the coronary arteries, decreasing blood supply to the heart. Coupled with exertion, this can be a recipe for a fatal heart attack. Eat and drink in moderation. It is important to watch your intake of salt and fat. Increased alcohol consumption, which is fairly common at this time of year, can cause a condition known as atrial fibrillation, which can predispose to heart attacks.

Symptoms are not always clear-cut in a heart attack, and may differ vastly between men and women. In men, chest pain predominates along with nausea and pain radiating down the left arm. In women, chest pain is less common, and severe fatigue and depression are more likely to be present.

If you think that you are having a heart attack, early treatment is critical and can be life-saving.

We know that stress is a factor around Christmas time that affects us all. Interacting with relatives, financial pressures, gift-buying and travel are all sources of stress.

In summary, we know that the Christmas holidays can be extremely stressful and create marked changes in our lifestyle – affecting food, exercise and alcohol intake. With this in mind, common sense can often reduce the risk of a Christmas coronary.

Other Holiday Hazards

Just in case you think you escaped everything by avoiding the Christmas Coronary, or New Year’s Heart Attack, here are some other holiday health hazards:

1. Use care when washing the turkey to avoid the spread of harmful bacteria over the worktops and cooking area. Always cook the turkey until none of the meat is pink and the juices run clear.

2. Candles cause more than 1,000 house fires and several deaths every year. Remember, the majority of house fires start in the kitchen. Be aware of your decorations. Also, fireplace ashes should be disposed of properly.

3. Choking hazards are elevated. Small bulbs on Christmas trees are one of the biggest culprits. Keep decorations safely out of reach of toddlers.

4. When gathering with family, avoid pointing fingers or getting involved in unpleasant family issues. Emotions are heightened at this time of year.

An interesting note is that suicides decrease at Christmas time. The largest number of suicides actually occur in July. It is best to handle loneliness by volunteering and participating in social groups that can bring people together. For those who are married, be aware that the greatest number of relationships end in January than at any other time.

I hope that this helps other people avoid your tragic situation. May you have a healthy, peaceful and merry Christmas.[hr] Dr. Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on The NET, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Channel 97 Time Warner and Channel 30 Cablevision.