Why does the number of heart attacks increase at the end of the year?

Doctors call this phenomenon <x0). ABC7.

Mario Castro, 57, has a healthy heart and lungs today. But during the holidays of the late 2022, he was in serious danger.

I was under a lot of stress and I felt extremely tired”, he showed.

Castro, however, has shown that he had gone to work but could not ignore an unusual feeling.

I started feeling a slight pressure on my arm, as if someone was measuring my blood pressure”, he remembered.
Castro works as an ultrasurgeon technician and was by chance near his cardiologist's office.

Dr. Kevin Arian of Dignity Health Northridge found that two of his arteries were blocked.

It was a complete heart attack, and according to doctors, such cases are very frequent during the holidays.

On Christmas Eve, we see about 30 to 40 percent more heart attacks”, Arian said, adding that even around the New Year, the number increases by 15 to 20 percent.

He has explained that this can happen because people celebrate, eat heavier, saltier foods.

In addition, many people postpone medical visits, exercise less, sleep less, consume more alcohol, and feel more anxious.

“People must be happy, but for different reasons, they are often more stressed”, Arian said.
Festivals can also bring grief, loneliness, and isolation, which can lead to depression, an important risk factor for heart disease.

According to our observations, individuals over 70 or 75 years of age suffer more heart attacks during this period”, the doctor noted.

To reduce the risk, the doctor's advice is simple - to make it the opposite of what people usually do during the holidays.

Be careful with alcohol, limit heavy, salty foods, and get enough sleep. Sleep is very important. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and don't postpone after-party visits”, he said.

For Mario Castro, managing stress is the key to health.

I get at least three times a week, do the meditation, which has helped me to cope with daily stress. We all have stress”, he said.

The feeling of symptoms near the doctor's office proved crucial. Within 30 minutes, doctors managed to open the blocked arteries.

This Christmas, Castro is eager to spend holidays with family and friends.

I also received permission from the doctor to eat a delicious steak during the” holidays, he said laughing. / KOHA