- Celebrate in moderation, looking for small, healthy food swaps to keep overindulging in check. Especially watch your salt intake.
- Keep moving with family walks or other fun activities that help you continue to get the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity weekly.
- Reduce the stress from family interactions, strained finances and hectic schedules by making time for self-care.
- Don’t forget to take your medications, and keep filling them in a timely manner so you don’t run out.
- Know the symptoms of a heart attack, which can vary in men and women. Call 911 as soon as you notice the signs.
RELATED: Heart Attack Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore
While heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person and depending on your gender, they typically consist of:
- Chest pain
- Chest discomfort or pressure ( a feeling of “fullness,” squeezing, or pressure that can even be mistaken for heartburn)
- Pain in other parts of your body (ie. the upper part of your stomach, your shoulders, one arm (probably the left) or both, your back, neck or jaw, or your teeth.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Coughing or wheezing
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting and dizziness
- Sweating
“Research also shows that the biggest increases in these holiday heart attack deaths are among people who are not in a hospital. This highlights the importance of recognizing symptoms and seeking immediate medical care,” Elkind shares. “Don’t ignore heart attack warning signs because you don’t want to spoil the holidays, the consequences could be much worse.”
It’s also important that people learn how to perform hands-only CPR so they can help when they witness someone having a heart emergency.
“You could be out holiday shopping, enjoying an office party or spending time at a family gathering and witness someone having a heart attack and going into cardiac arrest,” Elkind says. “Starting CPR immediately and calling 911 could be the difference in life or death in those situations. Hands-only CPR is something nearly everyone can learn and do.”
We are all looking forward to the holiday season and spending time with family, but make sure that you aren’t neglecting yourself in all the preparation for this exciting time of year.
