Maintaining your heart health during the holidays

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – While the holidays are a time meant to be filled with joy, it is important to be mindful of the stress you put on your heart.

Norton Healthcare claims more people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than any other time of the year.

They added more cardiac deaths occur on Christmas Day than any other day of the year.

Common symptoms to watch for are chest pain, shortness of breath and increased blood pressure.

Norton also it is important to make sure you are taking your medications and to carve out some time for yourself and to do whatever helps you relieve stress.

Norton Healthcare cardiologist Dr. Matthew Thomas said, “Stress used to be advantageous for us when we were running away from lions or bears. But now, you know, when we’re not in those situations, they can cause some acute changes of the heart causing heart attacks in the most severe cases or long term, some thickening of the heart muscle from high blood pressure, from stress related, high blood pressure or heart weakening. So you have to remember to take care of yourself during the holidays.”

Doctors also say anyone with pre-existing heart conditions should be especially mindful this time of year.