According to a study published in the journal Circulation, more cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than any other day of the year.
It’s not a myth. The year-end holidays lead to more deaths from heart attacks than at any other time of the year. Indeed, numerous studies have confirmed that deaths related to heart attacks were more frequent during this period.
“The holidays are a busy, often stressful time for many of us. Routines are disrupted; we may tend to eat and drink more, exercise and relax less. We sleep too little and feel too much stress. We may also not listen to our body or pay attention to warning signs, thinking that a visit to the doctor can wait until following the New Year.“, warned the director of clinical sciences of l’American Heart AssociationMitchell S.V. Elkind.
A study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, finds that more cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than any other day of the year; the second highest number of cardiac deaths occurs on December 26 and the third highest number occurs on January 1. “I’m not sure exactly why there are more fatal heart attacks at this time of year, it’s important to be aware that all of these factors can snowball and increase the risk of a fatal cardiac event.“, adds Mitchell Elkind.
Signs to know
If winter temperatures are a factor singled out, it is not the only reason. Indeed, the mild climate of some American states does not prevent the increase in cases of heart attack compared to other times of the year. “Research also shows that the biggest increases in these heart attack deaths during the holidays are among people who are not hospitalized. This underscores the importance of recognizing symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention. Don’t ignore the warning signs of a heart attack because you don’t want to ruin the vacation, the consequences might be much worse“, warns Mitchell Elkind.
What are the signs to know? The best-known symptom of a heart attack is a sharp, persistent pain in the chest (tightness), sweating, discomfort in other parts of the body, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath. If you feel – or someone close to you feels these signs – you must act quickly and contact the emergency services.
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