Did You Know the Holiday Season is Also Heart Attack Season?

The holidays bring joy, connection, and celebration—but they can also bring stress, overindulgence, and serious health risks. In fact, Christmas and New Year’s Day are peak days for heart attacks.

Between the emotional strain of gatherings, unhealthy eating, alcohol consumption, and cold weather, your heart may be under more pressure than usual. Your heart works incredibly hard—pumping 2,000 gallons of blood a day—and it deserves care and protection.

According to the American Heart Association, up to 80% of heart attacks are preventable through lifestyle changes like better diet, regular exercise, and managing conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

🩺 Tips for a Heart-Healthy Holiday:

• Avoid food comas: Large, fatty meals can divert blood flow and trigger heart problems. Eat smaller portions.

• Serve healthier foods: Substitute high-fat dishes with roasted veggies or lighter recipes.

• Make it a potluck: Reduce your stress and workload—ask guests to bring dishes.

• Try natural sweeteners: Use pineapple or applesauce in baking instead of sugar.

• Use supplements wisely:

   

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce triglycerides and heart disease risk.

  • Magnesium: Low levels can raise heart disease risk.

  • L-Carnitine: Helps produce heart cell energy and may aid those with heart failure.

  • Garlic (Allicin): Helps with blood pressure, circulation, and overall heart health.

   

  Products like HeartLife (with stabilized allicin, flaxseed, cayenne) and DiabaLife (for blood sugar) may support heart and metabolic health.

• Limit alcohol: Excess can raise blood pressure and cause irregular heartbeat.

• Keep moving: Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day—even a walk counts.

• Manage stress: Set boundaries, avoid conflict, and prioritize joy.

• Don’t ignore symptoms: Chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, or jaw pain could be signs of a heart attack—get help immediately.

• Dress for the cold: Cold weather increases blood pressure and clot risk. Wear layers and prepare an emergency kit if traveling.

Make this season not just merry, but also heart-smart. Take care of yourself—your heart will thank you.