From the Argentine Society of Cardiology (SAC) and its community arm, the Argentine Cardiological Foundation (FCA), they recalled that, during these Holidays, without depriving ourselves of celebrating and sharing, special care must be taken with the consumption of alcohol and food. , since excessive intake in a short period of time can put heart health at risk.
“It is documented that, during the holidays, between Christmas and New Year, mortality from heart attacks increases more than at any other time of the year. In fact, a study published in the journal Circulation reported that more deaths from heart attacks occur on December 25 than on any other day of the year, followed by December 26 and January 1,” reported Dr. Martín Koretzky , cardiologist, member of the Cardioecology and Healthy Habits Council of the Argentine Society of Cardiology (SAC).
Other publications describe a 15% global increase in cardiovascular events during the holiday season, with heart attacks increasing by 37% on December 24, peaking at 10 pm and most frequently in older people. 75 years old, with diabetes or other pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.
"Although we do not have data from our country, the statistics invite us to be aware of how to avoid this type of episode, the cause of which may be several factors, such as stress over the end of the year and all the preparations for meetings, and also excessive eating and alcohol consumption in the previous days,” said Dr. Carolina Salvatori , Advisor to the SAC Clinical Cardiology Council.
For many years, this entity was identified as ’Festive Heart Syndrome’, after verifying that both healthy and older people arrived at the wards with an arrhythmia called ’atrial fibrillation’ , where the heart loses its habitual rhythm, to beat quickly and irregularly, generating palpitations, shortness of breath or chest pain in those who have it. It was also called the ’Atrial Fibrillation (AF) of the weekend’, because these are cases that come to the ward mainly on Mondays. Later research found a relationship between these episodes and excessive alcohol intake. AF is a type of arrhythmia that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, or dementia.
Alcohol is considered a toxic substance for the heart. The effects are more severe when more than usual is consumed and in a short period of time. This leads to the release of more adrenaline and norepinephrine, two hormones that increase heart rate and the likelihood of alterations in it, as well as blood pressure. Its effects are similar to performing high-intensity exercise, which we are not usually used to.
Added to alcohol intake is the excessive consumption of generally unhealthy foods, excessive social activity and lack of adequate rest; All of this increases the risk of holiday heart syndrome.
Another study showed that just one drink a day can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by 16%, in a person with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, those over 65 and coronary heart disease. If on a given day the probability of suffering from atrial fibrillation is 1 in 1000, on a night when you drink a glass of wine or beer this can increase to 3 in 1000, and the risk increases the greater the alcohol consumption. .
“Although the most common thing is that the festive heart syndrome does not generate consequences to regret, the truth is that one cannot be certain that there are no complications. This applies especially to older people and those who have additional health problems. The worrying thing is that many do not consult or delay the consultation so as not to ruin the celebrations,” stated Dr. Koretzky.
“It is very important to pay attention to the alarm signals that our body sends us, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness, among others, and if there is the slightest doubt, consult as soon as possible,” stressed Dr. Salvatori.
The Argentine Society of Cardiology highlights a series of tips to take care of your heart during the Holidays:
● Limit the amount of alcohol we consume, avoid excesses and mixtures. It is important to make a plan in advance of the celebration, to be aware of what you eat and drink, and the quantities. As a general rule, the moderate amount of alcohol for a man is a maximum of two drinks a day; for a woman, no more than one drink a day. Moderate alcohol consumption means not getting intoxicated and not consuming more than 350 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of strong liquor. Remember that, if we are stressed, without rest or accumulating excesses, what we drink and eat impacts us three times as much.
● HYDRATE: For every glass of alcohol, drink a glass of water. Dehydration increases the risk of Holiday Heart Syndrome. Continue with hydration the next day.
● CONTROL YOURSELF: Both the consumption of alcohol and food should be done slowly, remember that the celebration can be long, and be able to choose what is and what is not can be a strategy to limit excesses.
● BE AWARE: what we call today ’mindfulness’ during the holidays does not have to mean depriving yourself of something; There are ways to eat intelligently, small portions and always include healthy options on the menu and reduce the use of salt, sausages, fats and sugars.
● If we FEEL BAD, ALERT a family member and listen to our body. It is preferable to have one more consultation, as soon as possible, than to pay the consequences for not disturbing because it is a special night.
“Success is in seeking balance, consciously, moderately, working on our behavior, planning, setting and focusing our objective; Remember that the celebration is not only limited to drinking and eating, but also being able to enjoy the meetings and company of loved ones. The end of the year festivities tend to generate a toxic environment conducive to falling into excesses: the most advisable thing is to enjoy them with moderation and prudence, so that a few too many drinks do not end up in the emergency room of a hospital," he concluded. Dr. Salvatori.
Some recommendations ● Maintain a careful diet throughout the day before and after the event. It has to be rich in raw vegetables and fresh fruits. ● Do not fast. ● Make sure that the table includes a large salad of raw vegetables with a predominance of greens, and for dessert a salad of natural seasonal fruits without added sugar. ● Reduce the consumption of bread and cookies. ● Exercise routine: exercising or trying to maintain our routine helps reduce the chances of presenting any complications. If it becomes difficult to maintain the routine, try to incorporate a walk or another fun family activity such as dancing. The goal is to avoid staying sedentary. ● Stress control: time of demand, running, preparations, sleeping less. Try to organize in time everything we have to do; take time to breathe or do meditation exercises. In the midst of the whirlwind, make sure to listen to our body. ● Don’t forget to take our medications as we always do. |
