Festive heart health: Cardiologists warn late-night parties, rich food, and alcohol can spark silent heart risks during Diwali

Late-night parties, rich festive foods, excessive salt intake, alcohol, and disturbed sleep can take a toll on the heart during the festive season. Hence, it will be imperative for everyone to watch out for their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and follow healthy eating habits to keep the heart healthy.

"Festivals are a time to celebrate, enjoy delicious food, and spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately, late-night celebrations, heavy meals, eating fried snacks, sweets and alcohol, and absence of physical activity can put that additional pressure on the heart. Moreover, many people also tend to struggle with increased cholesterol levels during the festive season as they tend to consume foods high in saturated fats and unhealthy fats. Understand that High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) can raise the chances of plaque accumulation in the arteries, making them narrow and even restricting blood flow to the heart. Hence, this can raise the chances of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. For people who already have high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease, following a well-balanced diet is key during festivals," says Dr Shrikant Naigude, Interventional Cardiologist, UMC Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.

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Alcohol can raise blood pressure, disturb heart rhythm and cause weight gain

These are the vital precautions that you must take to protect the heart, as festive meals tend to include fried snacks, sweets, creamy gravies and foods rich in saturated fats. Excessive consumption can cause weight gain and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Eat home-cooked meals, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Get your lipid profile checked as advised by your doctor. And take cholesterol-lowering medication during the festive season. Avoid overeating, as doing so can make you feel uncomfortable and may worsen acidity and indigestion. Practise portion control, eat slowly, and don’t compromise on sleep. Poor sleep can affect blood pressure, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Excessive alcohol can raise blood pressure, disturb heart rhythm and cause weight gain. So, it is a good idea to quit smoking and keep the heart healthy. Try to exercise daily and opt for walking, light exercises, or other activities as suited to your fitness. Do not do any strenuous exercise immediately after heavy meals. Seek timely help for signs such as discomfort, breathlessness, unusual sweating, and dizziness. Stay vigilant and keep your heart healthy this festive season.

“Festivals are a time to celebrate, enjoy good food and spend time with family and friends. There is no reason to feel guilty about the occasional indulgence. What matters more is the overall pattern of our habits,” said Dr Aparna Govil Bhaskar Bariatric, Laproscopic, and Metabolic Surgeon at Metaheal clinic Mumbai.

Late-night celebrations may disrupt sleep cycles

“Frequent heavy meals, irregular eating schedules and inadequate sleep can influence weight, blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. Late-night celebrations may temporarily disrupt our sleep cycles, affecting appetite regulation and making us more likely to reach for calorie-dense foods the following day. These effects can become more significant when combined with prolonged inactivity.

The idea is not to restrict celebrations but to find a sensible balance. Enjoy your favourite festive foods, stay active through the day, take a gentle walk after meals and try to get adequate rest. Strenuous exercise immediately after a heavy meal is best avoided.

Good health is not about missing out on celebrations. It is about enjoying them without completely abandoning the habits that keep us healthy,” concluded Dr Aparna Govil Bhaskar.

(This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your doctor for any questions about medical conditions.)