This article was contributed by Chris Smith of Spend It Like Beckham

Christmas is a favourite time for many people. Whether you celebrate or not, the festive period is great for spending valuable time with family and friends.

However, did you know that cardiac deaths are higher around Christmas than at any other time of the year? This is because people often overindulge in unhealthy foods, feel more stressed, and don’t exercise as much. All of these are key factors that can lead to poor heart health.

Taking care of your heart should be a priority all year round, but it becomes increasingly difficult during the festive period. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make Christmas healthier for your heart. Here are seven ways to look after your heart health this Christmas.

Make sure you have your meds

Many people with heart problems have to take medication. These medications can come in the form of tablets, self-adhesive patches, or aerosol sprays.

Doctors’ surgeries and pharmacies are often closed over the festive period. To prepare for this, it’s best to double-check if you have enough medication to see you through this time.

Ask for sweet-free presents

Presents are one of the best parts of Christmas. You can easily show how much someone means to you by gifting a meaningful present.

However, it’s very commonplace to gift sweet treats for Christmas. This could result in mountains of unhealthy snacks. This temptation could lead to excessive unhealthy eating, which can greatly damage your heart and raise cholesterol.

Plan a healthy dinner

Christmas dinner is a staple for many families across the UK. It’s something many look forward to and is often the favourite part of the day. But Christmas dinner can often become unhealthy. Thankfully, you don’t have to change your traditional Christmas dinner; you just need to make healthier choices.

One easy change you can make is to switch vegetable oil for healthier options such as rapeseed or olive oil. However, while this is true, you still need to watch how much oil you use. You should also watch how much fat you use for roast potatoes, stuffing, and turkey. You can also switch out chocolates for healthier snacks such as nuts, popcorn, or dried fruit. Overall, a good method is not to buy too much food which you feel compelled to eat.

Monitor alcohol intake

Alcohol is often associated with the festive period. Mulled wine at Christmas markets, a glass to raise at Hogmanay – it’s very common for many people in the UK.

While everyone deserves a treat around the holidays, it’s essential not to overdo it. As the common phrase goes, “moderation is key”. If you don’t feel like you can keep your drinking to a minimum, offer to be the designated driver to reduce the temptation. Alternatively, you could try out some non-alcoholic beverages.

Go for a walk

After all the gift-giving and eating have come to a close, don’t sit in front of the TV for an afternoon snooze. Take advantage of this lull in festivities to get some Christmas exercise.

Grab your family, chuck on a scarf, and head out for a brisk walk. Take a wander around your community or jump in the car to visit a nice spot. Keeping active, even if it’s just for a leisurely stroll, is incredibly important for heart health. This is especially important for those who have pacemakers, as it’s not recommended that you sit for too long.

Try not to stress

This is much easier said than done. Christmas is a stressful time – from wrapping presents to making a Christmas feast, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

However, stress is detrimental to heart health. While it’s not easy, try to monitor your stress levels to keep them as low as possible. To do this, you can ask others for a helping hand, talk your frustrations out with a friend, or carve out some ‘me time’ to relax.

Know the warning signs

Lastly, it’s vital that you know the symptoms of heart failure. Knowing these warning signs will allow you to catch heart disease early.

Keep a note of these symptoms in case of emergencies:

• Nausea
• Frequent dizziness
• Swelling and pain in legs
• Cold sweats
• Irregular heartbeat
• Pale, clammy skin
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Have a Merry Christmas

While you want to put your feet up and enjoy some family time this Christmas, you still need to look after your heart. These tips will help keep your heart in good shape while still enjoying the festive period.

So, maybe leave Santa some carrot sticks instead of cookies this year. But, most importantly, have a Merry Christmas.

Reassurance from LifeConnect24

At Christmas, you want to ensure you are always in safe hands. Our Response Team are available 24/7, 365 days a year, including over Christmas. This ensures you will always be able to request help if you experience a fall or feel unwell. All it takes is the press of a button.

To learn more about the LifeConnect24 personal alarm service, read our in-depth guide or view our products. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can speak to our helpful customer service team by calling on 0800 999 0400 or by using our handy contact form.

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