HOLIDAY HEART ATTACKS

Holidays are undoubtedly stress-busters,but next time before you pack up to unload your stress be sure that you are safeguarded aginst heart attacks

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   •A recent study conducted by examining the death certificates from 1973 to 2001 unwrapped an overall increase of 5% more heart-related deaths during the holiday season. The number of cardiac deaths is higher on Dec. 25 than on any other day of the year, second highest on Dec. 26, and third highest on Jan. 1 which owes to the cold weather as well.
Evidently there was varying increases in cardiac deaths for every holiday period .Doctors have long known that cold weather is hard on the heart. Blood vessels constrict, elevating the

blood pressure. Blood also clots more swiftly during the period.

  Frigid temperatures increase strain on the heart, and too much physical exertion can worsen the load and trigger a heart attack.  Coronary artery disease stems from atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty plaques narrow the arteries to the heart. When  a    plaque   ruptures,  it  can trigger a blood clot that leads to a heart attack.

Holiday travellers usually takes longer time to find competent medical care, which heightens the risk. Scarcity of hospitals near  major holiday resorts also prove to be a trigger factor. Emotional stress and overindulgence can also play a role in addition to overeating and enhanced alcohol consumption.Their exercise routine also gets disrupted in the itinerary.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING HOLIDAY HEART ATTACKS.
Cover yourself adequately : Try to avoid exposure to very cold temperatures. Dress warmly.
Avoid over exertion: Keep away from loading heart with too much physical exertion, anger, and emotional stress.
Make good choices. Avoid excess salt and alcohol.
Get a vaccination : Get a flu vaccination done before your next flight.. Infection and fever put extra stress on the heart.
Breathe in healthy air : Go indoors during air pollution alerts since micro-fine particles in the air can be bad for the heart.
Warrant help immediately: If you feel chest pain or other symptoms, call for emergency help.