Heart attacks, strokes surge during holidays

MANILA, Philippines - More people suffer from heart attack and stroke during the months of November and December due to the cold weather and the festivities that come with the Yuletide season, an expert from the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

According to Dr. Anthony Leachon, a cardiologist and a DOH consultant for non-communicable diseases, there are varying factors during these months that allow those with heart problems to suffer an attack.

“Peak season is the last week of November to December to early January due to drop in temperature, over-indulgence, smoking and drinking during the holidays. More predisposed are those with risk factors already,” he said.

Leachon added there is no local study on this “but clinical experience shows an increasing trend now.”

Citing an analysis in a British medical journal, he said call center agents are also more prone to developing heart attack and stroke because of the nature of their work. Deaths among them are also higher by 26 percent.

“If you are on graveyard shift, your blood pressure, the clogging of the arteries and the increase in adrenaline take place from 4 to 8 a.m. At that moment, you should be asleep and your body rested. But it is not the case for many who work during this period,” he added.

Leachon warned that majority of deaths from heart attacks happen “during dawn when you are awake.”

Leachon urged the public to keep their immunity strong by eating healthy food, avoiding smoking, and getting enough sleep.

He said health should not be compromised and disregarded while celebrating the Christmas season.

“The holiday season should not be an excuse for us to forget what foods are bad for our health. Partying is good but we still have to observe healthy lifestyle,” he added.

– Sheila Crisostomo, Mayen Jaymalin