While we all want to enjoy the holidays, sometimes too much festivity can be risky for your heart. Studies show that heart attack and stroke go up during the holidays and hospital systems also see the impact.

Protect your heart and arteries with the following common sense rules:

• Take a walk, or play outside with the kids, but make sure to stay active.
   
• Watch your intake of rich, fatty foods and be careful of the salt.  Have a little of everything, but in moderation.
   
• Make sure to travel with medications and continue taking them as prescribed.
   
• Don’t overdo the alcohol. Too much alcohol can make your heart pump harder or trigger an irregular heart rhythm, a stroke risk factor.
   
• Don’t hesitate to get to a hospital if you are having pain or discomfort, even if you are in a strange city.  Getting quick treatment is the best way to save heart muscle.

Using your noggin during the holidays to make smart choices, instead of the egg nog, will get you off to a smart, safe start to the New Year.

Learn more about stroke screening.

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