healthspin
Caring For Your Heart
By Jorge Castellanos , MD North Oaks Cardiology Clinic
Jorge Castellanos , MD
22
The winter season brings about lots of wonderful things – time with family and friends , festivities and , of course , relief from summer heat . But studies have shown that winter and the holidays that follow also bring an increase in heart disease-related deaths .
Researchers think there are a few reasons why there are more heart attacks in the winter .
The higher risk of winter heart attacks may be due to frigid air causing blood vessels to constrict as the body tries to prevent heat loss , which raises blood pressure and can reduce oxygen flow to the heart . This is a natural response that also can put people with heart conditions and those involved in strenuous exercise at greater risk of having a heart attack . People also tend to gain weight during the winter months and take in more salt and fat , which can put additional stress on a weakened heart .
Here are some tips to keep your heart healthy :
• Keep your body warm , particularly by covering your head , hands and feet ; these are the areas of the body that lose heat first .
• With events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras providing opportunities to drink alcohol , it may be tempting to over indulge . But , too much alcohol may raise the levels of some fats in the blood . It also may lead to high blood pressure , heart failure , increased calorie intake and contribute to abnormal heart rhythms . Excessive drinking and binge drinking also may lead to stroke . Limit yourself to one drink ( i . e ., one beer , one glass of wine , mixed drink per day ).
• Foods high in insoluble fiber are heart healthy . Try adding some of these to your menu : whole-wheat breads , cabbage , beets , carrots , Brussels sprouts , turnips or cauliflower .
• To prevent overeating at a party or family dinner , have a small healthy snack , such
as a handful of unsalted almonds or a piece of whole grain toast before heading out the door .
• Continue to be physically active . By exercising as little as 30 minutes a day , you can reduce your risk of heart disease .
• Excessive salt intake increases blood pressure and causes retention of fluids which may lead to the worsening of heart failure .
While golfers hardly need a reason to schedule a tee time , there are health benefits to hitting the links when spring ushers in warmer weather . According to the U . S . National Heart , Lung and Blood Institute , golf ’ s power combination of stress-busting exercise , fresh air and camaraderie can help promote long-term heart health .
For more information about ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle , visit the American Heart Association website at www . heart . org . If you would like to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist , the physicians of North Oaks Cardiology Clinic in Hammond and Livingston are available to help . Visit www . northoaks . org or call ( 985 ) 230-APPT ( 2778 ) in Hammond or 1 ( 844 ) APPT-NOW ( 277-8669 ) to schedule an appointment .