The holidays are a great time to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate the good things in life. But keeping up with the festivities can be a serious threat to the health and balance we strive so hard to maintain during the remaining months of the year.

It would be nice to throw caution to the wind for a few weeks, but holiday stress is no laughing matter. December and January are the deadliest months for heart disease.

The risk of a heart attack increases during the holiday months for several reasons. People at risk or already suffering from heart disease, often skip doctor’s visits during the holidays. Additionally, even the most health-conscious among us will take a break from health practices, like staying active and eating whole and nutritious foods, to partake in the revelry.

Alcohol is also a major culprit. “Alcohol has a toxic effect on the heart muscle in a number of ways, but, in particular, it can lead to an irritation of the heart muscles, particularly the top chamber of the heart — the atrium. This can lead to atrial fibrillation — an abnormal heart rhythm that is a classic finding of the holiday heart,” says Dr. Keith Churchwell, associate director of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The bottom line: be good to your heart this season. Visit the following links for tips on staying well during the holiday:

• Healthy Eating at Social Events from Heart and Style Health & Living
• Tips for a Heart-Healthy Holiday Season from the American Heart Association
• Holiday Tips For Heart Health from Dr. Miller is Director, Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center

References: HealthDay News, Dec 9, 2007