I suspected as much.
Kristi King, wtop.com
UNDATED – If you need another reason to relax during this holiday season, here it is. The number of fatal heart attacks peaks Christmas day and New Year's Day. "We think it's stress associated with the holidays," says cardiologist Robert Kloner with the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in an interview with the American Physiological Society. Researchers back in 1999 analyzed 12 years of Los Angeles County death certificates to come to their conclusions about cardiac deaths. Kloner says dealing with relatives and having to spend more money during the holiday season contribute to your stress level. (read more)
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Marie // Dec 15, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I know my blood pressure always goes up when the Target commercial comes on – the one with the lady unwrapping the large flat-screen TV. I think it’s a horrifying commercial, and the looks on those children’s faces makes me ill. My husband finds it disturbing, too. Target missed the boat – while it’s trying to impress on the public that its electronics are (cough) affordably priced, it played upon a disturbing family dynamic about spending money, and shows a lack of understanding about just how dire financial circumstances are for many families this year.
2 Will // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I agree Marie — I hate that commercial too. It just makes me uncomfortable seeing their tension.
With this study, they make no mention of the effect of “holding on” that some people do, seeing some big event through, like a holiday or a graduation, and then “letting go” after it’s over.
3 Tracy // Dec 16, 2009 at 7:50 am
I just saw that commercial last night, Marie, and I didn’t think that it was funny at all. I’m with you – it’s tense and uncomfortable. Hurrah – a big Christmas day fight about money and spending! Fa la la! What?
Will, I think that’s a different situation. I’ve heard of “holding on” with terminally ill people, but I haven’t heard about it associated with heart attacks. Heart attacks sneak up on their victims when they are most stressed and vulnerable (as far as I know).
4 Tracy // Dec 16, 2009 at 9:40 am
Here’s the commercial I’m talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hatJ_2ZuoEE
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