If the end of year holidays are often a time of joy and sharing with the family, they are also a time of risk for cardiovascular health. Because it is a fact: more people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than during the rest of the year. says the American Heart Association, a reference organization on the subject.
According to a study published in the journal of this American association, December 25 is even the deadliest day of the year in terms of cardiac accidents, followed by December 26 and January 1.
Another British study transmitted by the association points to an increase in heart attacks of around 37% on December 24, with a peak at 10 p.m. and more frequently among people over 75 years of age, diabetics or with a history of cardiovascular disease.
If this type of data is not available in France, “the truth is that in countries where it is cold there is an increase in cardiovascular mortality,” agrees Marc Villaceque, president of the national cardiovascular professional council, on BFMTV.com.
The Ministry of Health explains that cold induces “vasoconstriction, an increase in blood pressure and hemoconcentration that can lead to the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques” (progressive deposits of cholesterol in the muscle cells of the arteries that obstruct the passage of blood and supply of oxygen) and promotes arterial circulation. thrombosis.
Tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, cholesterol.
How can we explain this increase in cardiovascular accidents, especially at the end of the year? Travel, schedule changes and changes in lifestyle habits, but also the stress of organizing the party, preparing meals and, sometimes, tense reunions with family members. “End of the year celebrations can be complicated,” explains cardiologist Marc Villaceque.
“These moments can represent economic, emotional, but also family stress. Furthermore, the current political context does not help.”
Not to mention the excesses associated with Christmas meals. “We eat more fat, more salt, more sweet and we also drink more alcohol,” warns the cardiologist. A cocktail little appreciated by the body.
“Salt retains water, which can increase blood pressure or cause cardiac decompensation. Alcohol can cause arrhythmias and irregularities in the heart. This is especially true if the patient is elderly or already has heart problems.”
As a reminder, the six main cardiovascular risk factors are smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, excess cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and stress.
First cause of death among women
Therefore, if cardiologist Marc Villaceque recommends limiting excess food and moderating alcohol consumption, he asks us not to be careless and to listen to ourselves. Continue treatment for those who must take medication and consult if they have symptoms.
“During the holidays we tend to postpone going to the doctor, to not listen to our symptoms,” laments Marc Villaceque. “Especially in women, for whom this period is usually intense, their symptoms are also more atypical, with pain that is sometimes less intense in the chest or which tends to be minimized.”
However, cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death among women. “We must not neglect the symptoms by telling ourselves that it will disrupt the party,” adds Marc Villaceque.
If the American Heart Association advises maintaining physical activity, that is, 150 minutes per week, Marc Villaceque urges caution. “You cannot play sports again on January 1 after having overextended the previous days, without training and in the cold. That would require too much effort for the heart.”
The rule: if you go outside in the cold, dress warmly and moderate your efforts. “For example, we avoid running out at midnight to get heavy gifts out of the trunk without dressing up.”
“Heart accidents are usually small factors that add up.”
Every year in France, around 120,000 people suffer a myocardial infarction, according to the French Federation of Cardiology. Heart attacks cause 40,000 deaths. Let us remember that cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 400 deaths every day.
In case of chest pain, palpitations, vision or speech problems, muscle weakness in an arm or leg or unusual shortness of breath, call 15 or 112 in an EU member country, although symptoms improve over time. few minutes.
Source: BFM TV
