Cardiologist warns public of ‘holiday heart syndrome’
MANILA, Philippines - More people suffer from heart attack and stroke due to the cold weather and the festivities that come with the Christmas season, according to the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP).
PCP vice president Dr. Anthony Leachon said the Yuletide season may be a time to be merry but it is also the “deadliest time of the year.â€
Leachon warned the public of the “holiday heart syndrome†during the months of December and January when most Filipinos forget about their healthy eating habits.
He said hospital confinements for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are usually on the rise during the holidays.
“You might be carried away by Christmas parties but be wary because you might end up sick or not feeling well,†said Leachon, a cardiologist.
He noted that cold weather could lead to increased vascular resistance, coronary spasm, blood pressure and hemostastasis, a condition wherein blood is present outside the blood vessels.
Leachon said people tend to indulge in binge eating and drinking, unmindful that these can affect their health.
“There is usually an increased intake of fats, oily and sweet foods during the holidays. It is also when people tend to postpone treatments, skip medication and workouts,†he added.
Contributing to these “deadly combinations†is the emotional stress that people tend to suffer due to traffic jams during the season.
Leachon warned that heart attack is common from 4 to 8 a.m. because it is the coldest time of the day and when the adrenaline of people is high.
He advised the public to take their maintenance medicine, if they have any, and to drink and to bathe with lukewarm water.
“Cold water can lead to vasospasm or narrowing of coronary arteries, which is common in the morning,†he said.
Leachon also urged the public to avoid smoking and alcohol.
“If you cannot avoid overeating, do some exercises. A good 30-minute exercise can burn some 300 calories. Walking in the malls can also help burn fats,†he added.
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