The holidays are the deadliest time of the year for heart attacks, and are so common there's a name for it — "Holiday Heart Syndrome." According to statistics, Christmas Day is the deadliest, followed by December 26 and New Year's Day.

"There are two main reasons," says Dr. Chauncey Crandall, chief of the cardiac transplant program at the world-renowned Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Florida, and author of Newsmax's Heart Health Report newsletter. "We're not eating correctly, and we have a lot of fat floating around in our systems," he said in an exclusive interview with Newsmax Health. "We also have a lot of stress. The holidays are very stressful for many people."

During the holidays, we inadvertently create a lot of stress for ourselves, says Dr. Crandall. "We're trying to make the holidays wonderful for our families, but we're probably trying to do many things that are unnecessary, and we're putting a lot of undue stress on ourselves.

"People in cold-weather climates are more at risk," he says. Unhealthy food and stress can make cold temperatures deadly, especially when exercising. "Cold weather can cause spasm of the coronary arteries, and spasm of the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack. We've all heard the story of the man shoveling show."

How can you avoid a holiday heart attack? Follow Dr. Crandall's tips:

• Prepare before the holidays. "Buy presents ahead of time."

• Avoid stress. This includes maintaining good relations with family members.

• Keep meals small and healthy.

If you do begin to experience chest pain, don't "wait and see," advises Dr. Crandall. "Call 911. Many people don't die of heart attacks but of sudden death, an electrical event that can be prevented by a defibrillator." Emergency professionals carry defibrillators, and they are well-trained. "They can quickly evaluate your condition," says Dr. Crandall. "If it's not a heart attack, they'll leave, and you can enjoy your holiday."