---
title: "Women: Avoid a Holiday Heart Attack"
date: 2022-11-28T03:00:00-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/women-avoid-a-holiday-heart-attack"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Women: Avoid a Holiday Heart Attack

In this article, learn how stress, especially during the holiday season, can lead to heart issues for women. Read about the risk factors and symptoms of heart disease that are often ignored by women and get helpful tips for what you can do before, during, and after the holiday season to maintain your heart health.

> For many women, the holiday season brings the most cherished moments in their lives, but also it can be among the most stressful time of year. Often this is because people carry expectations influenced by memories and societal pressures ― a smiling happy family photo on holiday cards, the smell of grandma’s home cooking at Hanukkah, seeing a Christmas tree lit or singing your favorite Kwanzaa song. These sights, smells and sounds of the season in homes become the mental representations that people measure their happiness and satisfaction. However, these visions don’t always match reality, and that can lead to stress.

[Read the full article ](https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-stress-lead-to-a-heart-attack)

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic: Health System • AUTHOR: Niti R. Aggarwal, M.D. • LAST UPDATED: December 2, 2021

![Pexels leeloo thefirst 6173422 e1669652363566 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) Leeloo The first/Pexels

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ taking care of our hearts](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/taking-care-of-our-hearts)
- [ women's heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/womens-heart-health)
- [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease)
- [stress](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/stress)

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##### More to Explore

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Living with Congestive Heart Failure

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Interacting with My Cardiologist

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3)

[ResourcesRead

## Ten Things Every LGBT Older Adult Should Know about Heart Disease

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.

![pexels-centre-for-ageing-better-11674389](data:image/png;base64,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)

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/10-things-lgbt-heart-disease)

[ResourcesRead

## Five Tips to Handle Holiday Stress

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.

![pexels-askar-abayev-6192017](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFM0lEQVRIiV2W27LrNg5EuxugL/vUTPL/PzHv8zSflFRybEsi0PNA2ftUXLAKKha5cBNA/ue//4Pt7q7Ztfex1fHs4+n59HyynvQeOIIeqcwcl+sY93G55+Uel3uMu/LGvDKu0LCGGWYYAdBgwrBhGDBsw1g/nwuwAYD2UvxZw7nX4Ger39thk4DT3Ybddtt+K0s/Gev/We3uj9LsUyMbbHeDbdJc5jG727a7XNVV7uqu7nI1qt3NbqLpbqBV3d1dXdXVjGYVVEQBDRQoqwyYy1FmzXnmoKvnt7jKVayiiyjaDRcpFlVSYU5wGiWWXPBEE6IJE6YBGch5TNh2uWbPj5RnYRaq6AIKbDYJEpOc5AQmMIVDDqbYhAjBtNmgDBnMue9Y0a3ZdfQ8fBw9D8/Dc7ImPY3DNJo4nQ8j7GiHLLXYZAAC1GbjLCQCzLnttuHumq6j5+55AjAP1EEfWoCgu91wy1Z3REe0VOIkAgwvgBnLA5C5vzYsQE/X4bn33D13zx1zR+/sBWgHe4YH3OxmlKIYkxxQGNGMtgrM5QFAU3k8X4Dd7Z6u6dp7bp6b547aWTu9CbNZLXZEV/dETMZkTCjBw8oFKGiAaQZOJ5j783nmoMt1uA7PzXNDnULv8iFWByoiZnVa0zEdhzXMtKIRxShoMdMUKIC5P04AutzTc3ftnhvqhXqhN/YmHEKVEKHKWdkxrLTWM5tZjGJMaCwAFoDM/efDMNpwrRChdte+AKyN3uhdLMklKUdkKUvZGq1sZS0AYlADGtAZIpC5/XzgA+iJOlA7akdtqBf6xd6IXZiiGVQM5YwsZmvUOl0fQFygg78Cjp+Ps+G40BM10SeA34CN2MWmpBjKY+bUOnd8e8C8QJORUFJx5uD4+/HuioUu9IE60L8CnvST2MgpkXFR3hmHRvEb0MxiTsYFSkaCQQlQHo8HbMDohid7og/UznqxX+gn+0H/Rf9FogUGGb8p/8Vsjuaw0hzmd6rH6YFEKuvxfHvwDWDt6Bfrxf6J/oN+0lidiGHmH52Tw5zQZA+wzHxLNKPOEFFZ22t5QDd60guwoV+sB/tP9hMN4wMAC+y/6UGnEYQE0aJJg212Q0EFyPTcziHlYpc92TtqQ79QD/QDjTXuQEAAz84PPRFf6Mku98rfROs0ZA0/Mu15zobVln3Ah3EQO/A4xx/folMoUCRJrtH7D+k3Q8k0ALpho5tqVJNFFnh8zF9mnfWd4ADHjZkawRFMMckkgziDDwgAUhfCAAiDTTQRZJMFNGnT0EqAQJ2NQPnF8cW8clyUg5nMRCQjGAGJevciXQMAvABAN0psoYM92PsZG4KCYp1+U/7G8XVeWPLCHIzBzDO3ylWjADOuCQBumGiijSr2QA/27RsgSGCs039X/tC4M29agLgwBmKsz/j9lRFkxm3ACyCfgGYX6sK+0jfiJYCCBOWX8t+RP5R35Y3jprwyrm9AUvlLpxOIjMs4r1wtNNFANXqgin2lJ9HCIVHxpfgR+aVxV96UV42L4sJ8m6/EN4DvHJyARtMNlBGNKijZg74SEKcoxS3yrrxGXjUukReegMEY7w6RoPwNQMYIAHYv8y2jaqUSnewhWExJiqvyEnmJHBpjPZlD6/Qz+gnpXac0mMoEbBMNl3neCQIVZFJJmGiFFEMxlKnMyNQpsUrzk15Qfo8zgMkQYDZNEzIECxYQhOggmiQVUihC53FL1+eVq84kM0iBPO9FFGFCjZa1bq2LQYiwCJF47yco6i0UKYrrdQFImlw1CvD/7lti2YVraV4AAAAASUVORK5CYII=)

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/5-tips-to-handle-holiday-stress)

[ResourcesRead

## Addressing Heart Health in LGBTQ Adults

Why continued research is needed on heart health in LGBTQ adults

![joyce-huis-pqClnxdDIEQ-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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)

Why continued research is needed on heart health in LGBTQ adults](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/addressing-heart-health-in-lgbtq-adults)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Personal Stories of Living with Heart Failure

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.

![Image (3)](data:image/png;base64,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)

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/personal-stories-of-living-with-heart-failure)

[ResourcesRead

## Letting Go of Survival Mode

Survival mode is a natural response to chronic stress. But it does not allow us to think, grow, or flourish.

![Mature woman meditating with her eyes closed and her hands in prayer position. Black woman with dreadlocks practicing yoga in a studio. Happy middle-aged woman maintaining a healthy lifestyle.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADmElEQVRIiXWWa3LkOAyDAbZ7Drzn2oPtFSYJ8e0PSrKTmulSueOORBB8Cf7v33+QEjp8dT6+8vHZH5/9+yO/P/vjsz8+8/VFmiDLVX5VXdfrfdWv9+v96/V+v97vut6v66rrqter6uUqu2y79OPDn1/50wbuV/+0sz/12CRY50Bont6HLRkJmfuXvY1lZH+fJyXuTeixzgEEfvxhaf9yg+0jLP+0X6/tqYAFc1v0kMjeIxkUjAxeG85Tvr1ckfEVEMc6T5hIyAFQZJBku8DBYWMMlWdgESBb4iJCSpQx+nM5OFIQkuVgq8bf7Gdu6sdXK5J1BQFBgWQhjWlwYM4HgS1L9mYQ3VTWqcglR6wK0JUwfZAoC2mtXgx0fJSMy1SrXlRwMkvBRClVFKNB+g4wDDaPKPGNJGUYbPcbv+LjwYS3UEBYUBH21UFaFjsEdU706bg3BrJUwk3VidJa6qiiRF4NI9k2h4E6JGOdjjrqnYMdq8lBWW7qRfXwwB3X+BFsyZYkx9bVgf2/vXaqo97WewpDJS8GY3p8f83myFbvlseydXWDboDJQXMYKKjlyNHkoMwwcOPOMFBFFWLZQwAvgMVgwkL3IKmZNU3gxmAPA1XpMPBiwGIw44MFwNUddhq7d/RX1ToLw5FRTRX50QSNXrhDRWW18cQHlfkRou17dmlGefQUupO8rft1+ibLentPowH46ugGOMt3x0ljfc9Oe6dkRkijyviLZ5eA9Xp1o71vuR8nZDpg210Mto3o4cG96GBFQGFjTQ4kTkp7QuSZbqtLZ17uDE6Yo3kSlDDxseiZmVBG5urMwFbjDh3vdvM2fS6WbWP9cju+ZyV9bpZap58MVs09p9vD9zWuD4NZe1hRoTUzOnJE2DkYALdoal8M5+IpeWyvBp0pMDyyMJgIG8bYTPGdgxWiqcVkhvC6AH5qjGlTPHN738EoUJDgmjsBjJWVZG1KrQpkuf/QBx5t4fWtwVi6IWJOWThTbinFjrSmKUzZnd2Tqe+qx0f++CgU1vCXFgB3DduxuJIdNhUE+WdsvCyP12uWWfLBuO/j7N/smAVw5Eyiyq2+dOIgP4D8EHE+OmqHSAAxtbldIVotc1TTFkRTmA/3HyLvmXp2QS+JUiTGAuUiHH+XBrTgYWIlwCxN8d30EnBsmPt11jUSDI802ym49eBfkzzx0e7AoxmX/OAACC3VJt2+/2yAv8vnReRZ1btGsPQ/RBpcUku+PZIAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)

Survival mode is a natural response to chronic stress. But it does not allow us to think, grow, or flourish.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/letting-go-of-survival-mode)