As the holiday season unfolds, many of us find ourselves indulging in richer foods and perhaps a bit more alcohol than usual. While these delights are a hallmark of the festive period, they also come with a hidden risk that often goes unnoticed.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, stress levels can skyrocket, creating a perfect storm for a condition known as “holiday heart syndrome.” This term describes the abnormal heart rhythms that tend to spike during this time of year. However, the dangers extend beyond arrhythmias, as holiday-related heart attacks can manifest in various ways.

Mario Castro, a 57-year-old who has since regained his health, serves as a cautionary tale. In the holiday season of 2022, Mario found himself in a precarious position despite having a healthy heart and lungs.

“I was under a lot of stress, and I felt a deep fatigue,” Mario shared, reflecting on his experience. Despite these warning signs, he pushed through and went to work, only to be met with an unsettling sensation.

“I started feeling a small pressure in my arm as if someone was taking my blood pressure,” he recounted, a symptom that ultimately led to a serious health scare.

“I started feeling a small pressure in my arm as if someone was taking my blood pressure,” he recalled.

Castro is an ultrasound tech who just happened to be near his cardiologist’s office at the time. Dr. Kevin Ariani at Dignity Health Northridge detected blockages in two of Castro’s arteries.

It was a full-blown heart attack, and doctors say Castro’s story is all too common.

“Christmas Eve, we see around 30% to 40% more heart attacks,” said Ariani, who adds that he also sees between 15% to 20% more heart attacks around New Years.

“I mean, people party, they eat heavier food, they eat saltier food,” he said.

They also put off doctor’s appointments, exercise less, sleep less, drink more and worry more.

“People should be very happy, but for other reasons, are stressed out,” said Ariani.

The holidays can also be a time of grief, loneliness, and isolation, which can lead to depression, another significant contributor to heart disease.

“People who are more than 70 to 75 years old suffer more heart attacks during this time,” said Ariani.

To avoid this, Ariani’s advice is to do the opposite of what you would normally do.

“Be moderate with alcohol, moderate with heavy food, try not to eat salty food, and sleep,” he said. “Sleep is very important. Discuss and share your concerns with your doctor rather than waiting for after the holidays.”

For Castro, stress management is key.

“Exercising at least three times a week, meditation, which has helped me cope with the daily stress. We all have stress,” he said.

Noticing his symptoms outside his doctor’s office was a blessing. He said within 30 minutes, doctors had cleared his blocked arteries.

This Christmas, he’s looking forward to being with family and friends.

“I even got a blessing to eat a juicy steak on the holidays by Dr. Ariani,” Castro said with a laugh.