Overview
- The American Heart Association reports more cardiac deaths between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day than any other time of the year.
- Multiple studies, including research in Circulation, identify the last week of December as the deadliest for heart attacks, with cases peaking on Christmas Day and the day after.
- Cardiologists cite stress, overindulgence, heavier alcohol use, reduced exercise, missed medications, cold exposure and strenuous winter chores as key drivers.
- Women may face added risk due to holiday pressures and atypical symptoms such as unusual fatigue, nausea, back, jaw or stomach discomfort, or a cold sweat.
- Clinicians urge rest and moderation, strict medication adherence, immediate 911 calls for symptoms, household CPR training, and note AHA figures showing a 37% rise in heart‑attack deaths on Christmas Eve and a 15% increase from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.