Christmas Does Increase Heart Attack Risk

It’s no secret that the winter holidays, while being a season we look forward to each year, are also one of the most stressful times of the year for parents and grandparents trying to make sure everything is picture perfect.  New research, published in the British Medical Journal, finds that the risk for having a heart attack is 37 percent higher on Christmas Eve, peaking at 10 p.m.  Christmas day the risk increases by 15 percent.

Family gatherings are not always smooth sailing and the labor involved in preparing traditional meals, cleaning the house, shopping, wrapping, decorating, shovelling and all the rest can create stress.  This hectic preparation can also interfere with good sleep habits, regular exercise and healthy eating.  Adults are also more likely to smoke, consume more alcohol and eat more rich foods in the weeks leading up to the holidays.

According to a 16-year Swedish study, patients who were over the age of 75 and those with diabetes or a history of coronary artery disease were at the highest risk for having a heart attack during Christmas.  There was also an increase in myocardial infarction during midsummer holidays, which are an important holiday in Sweden. It should be noted that in Sweden, Christmas is celebrated with immediate family on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve is generally celebrated with friends. 

Although we treasure spending time with our family each holiday, it’s often only our closest relatives that know how to push our emotional buttons.  A little too much alcohol consumption or large groups of people in close quarters can sometimes lead to arguments and upset.  Add to that anxiety, stress or grief from the loss of a loved-one and the holidays can understandably contribute to an increased risk for a cardiac event.

Older adults can help minimize their risk for a heart attack during the holidays by practicing mindful eating, taking time to get outdoors for a walk and delegate responsibilities for hosting holiday gatherings.  The good news is that by New Year’s Eve, things will have normalized and researchers found no increased risk for heart attack.