It has found that death rates due to heart disease and other causes are actually higher around Christmas and New Year's Day than other days of the year.
Researchers found that there is a spike in both heart and non-heart related deaths in United States around Christmas and New Year's Day. The spike accounted for 42,039 more deaths than would have been expected. Moreover, most of these patients died on either December 25, 26 or January 1.
Reason for this could not possibly be explained by factors as respiratory diseases, emotional stress or changes in diet or alcohol drinking. Researchers suggested that it might be related to delay in seeking medical care during the holidays. Another possibility is staffing changes during the holidays, including scheduling changes of doctors, nurses, and even health insurance personnel.
The study concluded that the winter season is associated with significant increase in cardiac deaths. Doctors are therefore advised to be aware of this phenomenon and help their patients to minimize risk factors that will trigger heart attack.
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