Tis the Season for Heart Attacks?

More people die of heart attacks during December than any other month of the year. There are several theories as to why this happens.

Possible reasons for holiday heart attacks:

• Cold temperatures. People with coronary artery disease can suffer chest pain when exposed to the bitter cold. Hypothermia (a body temperature that is below normal) can cause heart failure and death. Wind can be especially dangerous, removing the layer of heated air that surrounds the body.
• Snow. The amount of snow as well as the physical stress of shoveling it is linked to more heart attack deaths than the temperature. Damp weather causes the body to lose heat faster than it would at the same temperature in drier conditions.
• Alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages before going out in the cold can give you a false feeling of warmth. But alcohol, cold weather and outdoor activity don't mix. These conditions increase your chances for hypothermia. Too much alcohol can also cause abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to a heart attack.
• The holiday season. Holiday stress can cause chest pain and trigger heart attacks. So can excessive eating and drinking. People may be more likely to ignore symptoms during the busy holidays as well.
• Colds, flu and other infections. One study showed that a person's heart attack risk triples in the 10 days following these types of illnesses.

How to prevent a holiday heart attack:

• Get a flu shot. Studies show that if you've had a heart attack in the past, a flu shot can reduce your risk for a second heart attack by 67 percent.
• Be careful outdoors. Check with your doctor before shoveling snow, and don't overdo it when outdoors. Your body has to work extra hard just to stay warm.
• Follow heart-healthy habits. Exercise, eat right and don't smoke. It's OK to enjoy your holiday meal, but try not to overindulge.
• Know the warning signs of a heart attack.
• • Discomfort or pain in the chest, possibly going into the neck, back, jaw, arms or shoulders
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness, weakness or passing out

Don't wait

If you experience any possible heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. There are treatments that can save your life, but they need to be used as soon as possible after the symptoms begin.