The end-of-year holidays are coming faster than ever, which means a lot of delicious meals, festive drinks, and all the desserts you desire. But if you're living with heart disease or high blood pressure, those holiday indulgences could spell trouble.
At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, Dr. Hesham Fakhri and our team offer heart-healthy tips for any time of year. He's an experienced cardiologist who provides echocardiograms, stroke prevention tips, and high blood pressure treatments to help keep your heart on track.
The holidays are a time of joy, family, and celebration, but it's also a season of overindulgence, stress, and things that affect your weight and heart. It's essential to go into the holiday season knowing about overindulgence, especially when you have heart disease.
Living with heart disease means you need to stay consistent with your health all year. That means keeping on track to avoid heart problems. The holidays can derail your heart health in many ways:
The holidays also make it challenging to schedule a doctor's appointment for evaluation if you're not feeling well. All of these factors negatively affect your heart health, even though it's just a short season.
Living with heart disease is tough around the holidays, but it's definitely not impossible. Going into the season with a game plan is the best way to ensure your health throughout the busiest time of the year.
Our team offers these lifestyle tips to keep your heart health on track this holiday season:
As we said, the holidays are a busy and stressful time, but you still need to stay physically active. Get up and move after meals, go for a walk with the dog, or incorporate a quick strength workout to keep your heart healthy and eliminate excess calories.
Controlling portion sizes is crucial in preventing weight gain and heart disease. It's easy to fill your plate with yummy holiday foods, but aim to keep portions small and focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains instead of empty or sugary calories.
The cold causes blood vessel constriction, which stresses the heart muscle. Bundle up when you're outside and turn up the heat inside to prevent overexertion. Dress warmly wherever you go, including wearing a hat, gloves, and a heavy jacket for extra warmth.
Stress is a significant factor in holiday heart attacks, so manage it effectively. It's OK to say no to get-togethers if you're not feeling up to it. Listen to your body and take the time you need to unwind.
Holiday meals are often full of salt and alcoholic beverages, which can be detrimental to your heart. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of heart problems.
Desserts and alcohol are plentiful during holiday meals, but they spell trouble for your heart. Limit alcohol and sugary foods during meals and outings to avoid sugar overload and a potential heart problem.
Too much salt over the holidays leads to higher blood pressure and the potential for a heart attack or stroke. Avoid overly salty foods and drink plenty of water to keep your heart functioning effectively.
For more information about staying heart healthy over the holidays, contact our specialists at the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute. Call us today or reach out online to schedule a consultation at one of our locations in Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or Sun City, Florida.
