Temperatures are dropping and the holidays have arrived.

Danger – we have officially entered what is often referred to as “The Heart Attack Season.”

“In addition to the cold weather restricting our blood circulation, most of us do things during the holidays that are very hazardous to our health, especially if we’re in poor shape to begin with,” said Dr. Debra Braverman, a specialist in rehabilitative medicine in the cardiology department at The Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Heavy meals, excess alcohol and lack of exercise all can contribute to problems with our heart health, Braverman said.

Braverman provides five recommendations for protecting heart health during this heart attack season: 

• Beware of fatty foods and large portions – Stay away from foods high in sugar, fat, cholesterol and salt, and make sure your holiday dinner table consists of lots of veggies, fruits, lean protein and whole grains.

• Exercise – Try 30 minutes of light exercise per day to help strengthen the heart by delivering more oxygen to the body.   

• Stop smoking – Replace your smoking routine with a 30-minute exercise session, which will help distract you and get your mind off smoking.

• Avoid those obvious holiday heart attack triggers – Excess physical exertion (i.e. shoveling snow), overeating, lack of sleep, emotional stress, cold temperatures, illegal drugs and alcohol

• Talk to your doctor – For those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, stay regular with your medications and ask your doctor about a new non-invasive treatment to improve circulation and overall heart health called EECP.