Christmas stress with its consequences: When women’s hearts break during the holidays

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Perfect gifts, perfect Christmas menu, perfect Christmas tree and perfect decorations. Women, in particular, face great pressure during the holidays. Result: overload and a lot of stress for the heart. This may even result in increased blood pressure and, in the worst case scenario, a silent heart attack, warns Dr. Karla Kurrelmeyer, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston.

Christmas stress with serious consequences

Unlike a “normal” heart attack, the symptoms of a silent heart attack are slightly different and are therefore often not noticed early enough: “People who have had a heart attack often have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or similar symptoms,” says Kurrelmeyer. A silent heart attack, on the other hand, can present with very simple symptoms, such as stomach upset, flu-like symptoms, or an unpleasant feeling such as a pulled muscle in the chest or upper back area.

Another danger of the Christmas season is that intense stress triggers heart muscle dysfunction. In this disease, which is mostly seen in older women and is also known as broken heart syndrome, stress causes the left ventricle of the heart to no longer function properly. The symptoms are very similar to a heart attack. It is therefore important to clarify such symptoms as quickly as possible, advises the cardiologist.

7 tips to combat Christmas stress

1. Buy only one gift per person.
2. Make a detailed list of all gifts.
3. Divide tasks in the family.
4. Eating out more often: This gets you in the mood and reduces stress.
5. Lower your expectations for a perfectly organized and smoothly running Christmas.
6. Discuss the course of Christmas celebrations and minimize obligations.
7. Take half a day off before Christmas.

Turning it off is worth it

To avoid heart palpitations and Christmas stress, Kurrelmeyer says it’s important to take time for yourself during the holidays and do things that help reduce stress. “Exercise, whether it’s walking, running, yoga, meditating, taking a nice walk with someone you love; whatever it is, do it,” the cardiologist says.

Then nothing will stand in the way of happy holidays and they will never be perfect anyway! (aponet)

Source : Blick