# Vegan Diet Could Cut Holiday Heart Attack Risk

**By Neal Barnard, MD, FACC** · 2018-12-24

![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/vegan-lasagne_a-300x225.jpg)Excessive eating this Christmas – and for many that means loading up on eggnog, cheese plates, ham, roast beef, and turkey – could lead to a holiday heart attack, according to a [new study.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2018/12/17/heart-attacks-most-likely-happen-10-p-m-christmas-eve-study-says/2334360002/) Swedish researchers found that heart attack risk increased by 37% on Christmas eve and 15% on Christmas day. This was compared to the 2 weeks before and after Christmas, and was possibly due in part to overeating. People with type 2 diabetes and heart disease were at greater risk – that’s more than 120 million Americans. Of course, filling up on baked potatoes and broccoli won’t lead to a heart attack. But a Christmas coronary could be around the corner if you load up on holiday ham; baked potatoes topped with butter, sour cream and bacon; and broccoli swimming in cream sauce and cheese. Research shows that the risk of a heart attack quadruples within hours after eating a large, fatty meal. This is in part because it increases blood pressure, which may rupture cholesterol plaques causing a clot that can block a blood vessel and trigger a heart attack. Instead of putting your heart health at risk this holiday season, try out some vegan holiday recipes, like this [vegan lasagna](https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/plant-based-diets/recipes/lasagna-cashew-tofu-ricotta) and this [creamy mushroom bisque](https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/plant-based-diets/recipes/creamy-mushroom-bisque). A vegan diet works even better than the American Heart Association-recommended diet for heart disease prevention, according to a new [study](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diet-reduces-inflammation-more-aha-recommended-diet) published by the American Heart Association. Then keep your heart-heathy diet going into 2019 and beyond. You can download the newly redesigned [21-Day Vegan Kickstart app](https://kickstart.pcrm.org/en) and pick up a copy of my latest book, [The Vegan Starter Kit,](https://www.pcrm.org/veganstarterkit) which comes out on December 24. _Photo from [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/arimoore/2721784638/in/photolist-51g3cG-d5RH2y-59vRKm-bUbHx1-7kfxek-bUbRqk-bYJLRC-bYJMYN-7n456Z-bUbTbe-bUbFw3-bUbTQF-RMpii-bUbDJ5-syoQJ-4EfGHM-6Q4V1-bGK294), with thanks._

**Tags:** cardiovascular disease, Category_Health Concerns, Category_Healthy Recipes, heart health, vegan

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/vegan-diet-could-cut-holiday-heart-attack-risk)