Circulation December 2004 PMID 15596560

Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year's than at any other time: the holidays as a risk factor for death.

David P Phillips, Jason R Jarvinen, Ian S Abramson, Rosalie R Phillips

Mentions

473
Peak: 29 in Dec 2023
across 6 sources since Dec 2019

Extended reach

625,401
potential audience

Total likes

321

Video views

1,619

Mentions per month

Dec 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News332 articles
  • X / Twitter66 posts
  • Facebook47 posts
  • Blogs23 articles
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate a strong consensus on the increased risk of cardiac events around holidays, citing studies, historical facts, and practical tips like avoiding excess alcohol. The tone emphasizes caution and awareness, showing substantial engagement and potential influence on health behaviors.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the study’s findings that cardiac mortality increases during the holidays.

InterestModerate interest

Posts express moderate interest, with some sharing practical advice, historical data, and implications of the findings.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many responses reference specific data, historical patterns, and health recommendations, indicating deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The widespread acknowledgment and emphasis on health precautions suggest these discussions could influence public awareness and behavior.

Abstract in brief

  • Cardiac and noncardiac mortality rates peak during December and January, especially around Christmas and New Year's, and this spike persists even after accounting for seasonal and climatic factors.
  • The study estimates that during the holiday period, there are approximately 465,030 more cardiac deaths and 499,042 more noncardiac deaths than expected if holidays had no effect, with the highest increases for individuals arriving dead at hospitals or dying in emergency settings.
  • The researchers suggest that holiday-related factors, such as delays in seeking medical treatment, may contribute to the increased risk of death during this period, and these holiday spikes in mortality are becoming proportionally larger over time.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Kristie Leong M.D.
@DrKristieLeong · X

Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday season? December 26 and New Year's Day following closely in second and third place. Be kind to yourself. https://t.co/YFQlGnoFY3 https://t.co/FnuefaPjo4

Dec 15, 2023 · 94 likes · 29 shares · 60,212 followers View post →
Salvo Di Grazia
@MedBunker · X

Questi picchi si ripetono in maniera precisa nei giorni di festa di varie religioni e nazioni. Altre spiegazioni chiamano in causa il freddo oppure che in prossimità delle feste si rimandano i controlli. O forse è solo un caso. 2/2 https://t.co/FB6hVCcAwH https://t.co/68qsYYtcRf

Jun 3, 2024 · 47 likes · 2 shares · 46,879 followers View post →
Christian Assad, MD
@ChristianAssad · X

3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 35 likes · 7 shares · 24,736 followers View post →
Jule R O G Santos
@julesantosER · X

Certamente atender pacientes com dor torácica na emergência é uma constante. Sim, existe realmente um aumento conhecido do número de infartos, principalmente entre os dias 25 e 26 de dezembro. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000151424.02045.F7.

Dec 23, 2021 · 31 likes · 16,316 followers View post →
Pradeep Natarajan
@pnatarajanmd · X

Study over 1973-2001 not only confirms prior observations of increased cardiac & non-cardiac deaths in the winter, but distinct spikes at Christmas and New Year's Day - particularly pronounced for non-inpatient deaths https://t.co/e7CEa4EdEm @CircAHA editorial https://t.co/FRR2AKrGWX

Dec 15, 2023 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 25,817 followers View post →
Tony Leachon MD
@DrTonyLeachon · X

We are facing a possible Tri-Demic : flu , COVID surge and cardiovascular diseases ( strokes and heart attacks) during the holiday season. Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year's than at any other time: https://t.co/8UUfIZlGuW https://t.co/2qogXYOSjA

Nov 29, 2020 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 87,665 followers View post →

All mentions

M. Bilal Ahmed, MD, MBA
@brownmagik · X

https://t.co/U80soYkNSw Cliffnotes: Risk of cardiac death is ~5% higher during the holidays than otherwise. Message: Prevention, not reaction. Take care of yourself now, not after the stuffing (figuratively & literally). So, happy holidays from me and @lylahhealth !

Nov 27, 2025 · 159 followers View post →
Niraj Warikoo
@nwarikoo · X

Cardiac Mortality Is Higher Around Christmas and New Year’s Than at Any Other Time: The Holidays as a Risk Factor for Death https://t.co/bBF6NyCMTo

Jan 3, 2025 · 18,418 followers View post →
Šinik Zlatibor
@sinikZ · X

To everyone out there take care. There is increased mortality rate for Xmas and new year. Wish you all the best.

Dec 20, 2024 · 166 followers View post →
Vera_pessimista
@Vera52834961 · X

RT @MedBunker: Questi picchi si ripetono in maniera precisa nei giorni di festa di varie religioni e nazioni. Altre spiegazioni chiamano in…

Jun 3, 2024 · 2 shares · 612 followers View post →
Anna Ristagno
@RistagnoAnna · X

RT @MedBunker: Questi picchi si ripetono in maniera precisa nei giorni di festa di varie religioni e nazioni. Altre spiegazioni chiamano in…

Jun 3, 2024 · 2 shares · 843 followers View post →
Max Sanna
@massimo_san · X

RT @MedBunker: Questi picchi si ripetono in maniera precisa nei giorni di festa di varie religioni e nazioni. Altre spiegazioni chiamano in…

Jun 3, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,674 followers View post →
Salvo Di Grazia
@MedBunker · X

Questi picchi si ripetono in maniera precisa nei giorni di festa di varie religioni e nazioni. Altre spiegazioni chiamano in causa il freddo oppure che in prossimità delle feste si rimandano i controlli. O forse è solo un caso. 2/2 https://t.co/FB6hVCcAwH https://t.co/68qsYYtcRf

Jun 3, 2024 · 47 likes · 2 shares · 46,879 followers View post →
Vinicius Miguel
@ViniMiguelRO · X

Referências Phillips, D. P., Jarvinen, J. R., Abramson, I. S., & Phillips, R. R. (2004). Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year’s than at any other time: the holidays as a risk factor for death. Circulation, 110(25), 3781-3788.

Dec 27, 2023 · 6,233 followers View post →
Miguel Ángel Sogorb
@MASogorb · X

Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year's than at any other time: the holidays as a risk factor for death https://t.co/OQHKyTDHnN

Dec 23, 2023 · 158 followers View post →
RosieFeliz
@RosieFeliz1 · X

RT @SorayaCastroLL: Traducción: Mortalidad cardíaca es más alta alrededor de las navidades y Año Nuevo que en cualquier otro tiempo. -Las…

Dec 19, 2023 · 1 share · 1,480 followers View post →
Soraya Castro Llibre
@SorayaCastroLL · X

Traducción: Mortalidad cardíaca es más alta alrededor de las navidades y Año Nuevo que en cualquier otro tiempo. -Las festividades navideñas son un factor de riesgo para muerte- ¿Visitó su Cardiólogo? No pierda de vista las señales. ⁦@BebetoDice⁩ https://t.co/0sf2VkcnS0

Dec 19, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 3,609 followers View post →
Success to Health
@successtohealth · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 2,943 followers View post →
cr7
@ReymirFan123 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 54 followers View post →
Olivia
@re_dewine · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 7,136 followers View post →
Mafalda Villalobos
@MafaldaVillalo1 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 45 followers View post →
Science-George
@Science_George · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 3,726 followers View post →
trader
@trader363 · X

RT @trader363: https://t.co/76ylcQNr2A

Dec 15, 2023 · 1 share · 359 followers View post →
trader
@trader363 · X

https://t.co/76ylcQNr2A

Dec 15, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 359 followers View post →
trader
@trader363 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 359 followers View post →
EBRAH SSALI - PhD (Candidate)
@IBRAHSSALI1 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 797 followers View post →
Johnny Galtar
@JohnnyGaltar · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 427 followers View post →
Rich Severin PT, DPT, PhD, CCS
@ptreviewer · X

RT @pnatarajanmd: Study over 1973-2001 not only confirms prior observations of increased cardiac & non-cardiac deaths in the winter, but di…

Dec 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 5,883 followers View post →
Marta Pérez Alcántara
@MartaP4lcantara · X

RT @pnatarajanmd: Study over 1973-2001 not only confirms prior observations of increased cardiac & non-cardiac deaths in the winter, but di…

Dec 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 203 followers View post →
HUMBERTO ANTONIO L
@escologico · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 2,627 followers View post →
Jan Romes
@JanRomes · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 74,130 followers View post →
Mary Jane Sammons
@sammons_m · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 167 followers View post →
No Shortcuts Health
@NSHealthPGH · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 203 followers View post →
nadella venkateswara rao
@Nvraoo · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 141 followers View post →
Farmer's Daughter
@kdbk42 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 3,329 followers View post →
Pradeep Natarajan
@pnatarajanmd · X

Study over 1973-2001 not only confirms prior observations of increased cardiac & non-cardiac deaths in the winter, but distinct spikes at Christmas and New Year's Day - particularly pronounced for non-inpatient deaths https://t.co/e7CEa4EdEm @CircAHA editorial https://t.co/FRR2AKrGWX

Dec 15, 2023 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 25,817 followers View post →
BHAGWAN KAILASH APPA
@AppaBhagwan · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 59 followers View post →
Welcome December/ Benvenuto Dicembre
@rddp10 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 697 followers View post →
Wayno
@MrDeff73 · X

RT @DrKristieLeong: Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday se…

Dec 15, 2023 · 29 shares · 1,871 followers View post →
Kristie Leong M.D.
@DrKristieLeong · X

Tis the season. Did you know Christmas Day tops the list for the highest number of cardiac deaths during the holiday season? December 26 and New Year's Day following closely in second and third place. Be kind to yourself. https://t.co/YFQlGnoFY3 https://t.co/FnuefaPjo4

Dec 15, 2023 · 94 likes · 29 shares · 60,212 followers View post →
Finapres Medical Systems
@finapres · X

This study https://t.co/ZUliIkxdQG shows that cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year’s than at any other time of the year. @finapres produces devices for monitoring continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurements. Visit https://t.co/xyNdGCsrNA https://t.co/HXp2CqML2v

Dec 14, 2023 · 517 followers View post →
Tony Leachon MD
@DrTonyLeachon · X

Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year's than at any other time: the holidays as a risk factor for death - PubMed https://t.co/4IMEETJ7Sr

Dec 13, 2023 · 2 likes · 87,665 followers View post →
R Marcucio
@mcfunny · X

@AquaBlueLounge @handmadekathy @NikolovScience https://t.co/GiN65ULhBf

Oct 25, 2023 · 2,741 followers View post →
Kyle Ferriter
@kyle_ferriter · X

The first sentence of the Harvard Gazette article links to this AHA Journal article. It includes a frequency chart for 1973-2001 which clearly illustrates the seasonal trend. (x-axis is 5-day intervals) https://t.co/3NK5fcWtoV https://t.co/1lKaMKhAGl

Jan 9, 2023 · 1 like · 498 followers View post →
Nat McKenzie
@Insomniac_Nat · X

@trishlemmon88 @FiveTimesAugust From 2004. https://t.co/phXEv9gzeS

Jan 3, 2023 · 658 followers View post →
Bojji
@FrankyInvalid · X

@Ilangabet Salut, si tu souhaites comprendre et t'informer, une étude de 2004 devrait t'éclairer ils ont trouvés plusieurs explications Où une de 2018 aussi https://t.co/beIGjNMUo8 https://t.co/r6KblArZ52

Dec 24, 2022 · 2 likes · 3,055 followers View post →
Noëlle C.
@NChevesson · X

RT @CTrivalle: Pour rappel : Le 25 décembre est le jour de l'année qui compte le plus de décès par infarctus... Viennent ensuite le 26 déce…

Dec 22, 2022 · 2 shares · 2,692 followers View post →
xavier
@xavier40700514 · X

RT @CTrivalle: Pour rappel : Le 25 décembre est le jour de l'année qui compte le plus de décès par infarctus... Viennent ensuite le 26 déce…

Dec 22, 2022 · 2 shares · 1,187 followers View post →
Christophe Trivalle
@CTrivalle · X

Pour rappel : Le 25 décembre est le jour de l'année qui compte le plus de décès par infarctus... Viennent ensuite le 26 décembre et le 1er janvier. https://t.co/60py6iMUBz https://t.co/LZucRZ8Uey

Dec 22, 2022 · 2 shares · 8,246 followers View post →
Boisanger Santé
@BoisangerS · X

Cardiac Mortality Is Higher Around Christmas and New Year’s Than at Any Other Time ! See this in Circulation, the scientific journal published by the American Heart Association. https://t.co/iUatdLLyz1

Dec 22, 2022 · 78 followers View post →
Patricio V. Marquez
@Pvmarquezl · X

There are multiple explanations for this association, including the possibility that holiday-induced delays in seeking treatment play a role in producing the twin holiday spikes. https://t.co/l0cOVtvk9S

Dec 12, 2022 · 1,602 followers View post →
toros
@1985ivriz · X

RT @physorg_health: Winter holidays bring more #heartattack deaths than any other time of year @HeartNews @CircAHA @JAHA_AHA https://t.co/Y…

Nov 30, 2022 · 1 share · 190 followers View post →
Medical Xpress
@physorg_health · X

Winter holidays bring more #heartattack deaths than any other time of year @HeartNews @CircAHA @JAHA_AHA https://t.co/YXIUKScV76 https://t.co/xGiszLiVA4

Nov 30, 2022 · 1 share · 7,023 followers View post →
Mary
@MaryKRe · X

Interesting historical facts about deaths in Dec: https://t.co/cw7uzfjosr https://t.co/4dp0sHIFlr https://t.co/oZBxT0hijq https://t.co/s4eXB5EHVI

Dec 31, 2021 · 1 like · 2,670 followers View post →
Mary
@MaryKRe · X

@eeadams @detroitnews —> “died within 30 days of testing positive for sarscov2

Dec 31, 2021 · 2,670 followers View post →
Jule R O G Santos
@julesantosER · X

Certamente atender pacientes com dor torácica na emergência é uma constante. Sim, existe realmente um aumento conhecido do número de infartos, principalmente entre os dias 25 e 26 de dezembro. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000151424.02045.F7.

Dec 23, 2021 · 31 likes · 16,316 followers View post →
The Death Reader
@themrityu · X

A study in 2004 by Prof David Phillips recorded that the death spike persists for the dead on arrival and emergency dept patients. #Cardiac #mortality was higher on Dec 25 than on any other day of the year. 3/ https://t.co/WXWvNtITM8

Dec 23, 2021 · 962 followers View post →
bundesalex
@bundesalex · X

@PeterAppel14 @destatis @reitschuster Naja gut, das Thema Wochentage erübrigt sich bei KW ja. Aber es gibt zumindest bei Sterbezahlen Unterschiede, wann man zur Notaufnahme kam. Und Weihnachten/Silvester gibt es größere Risiken f. gewisse Herzinfarkte... https://t.co/2zEao9RlNY https://t.co/GyinozVPhq

Jan 28, 2021 · 1 like · 572 followers View post →
Kim
@Lawlor224 · X

Cardiac Mortality Is Higher Around Christmas and New Year’s Than at Any Other Time | Circulation https://t.co/cwj7PDxrxC

Dec 30, 2020 · 4,668 followers View post →
Jay Quellin
@HeyJayQuellin · X

Why does the availability of ICU beds matter? ⬇️ And keep in mind heart attacks peak during December and January. https://t.co/xxOoAAN3La https://t.co/511lybJ0gO

Dec 8, 2020 · 1,139 followers View post →
Nathan Parker Crane
@NathanielCran11 · X

RT @DrTonyLeachon: We are facing a possible Tri-Demic : flu , COVID surge and cardiovascular diseases ( strokes and heart attacks) during…

Nov 30, 2020 · 3 shares · 172 followers View post →
Tony Leachon MD
@DrTonyLeachon · X

We are facing a possible Tri-Demic : flu , COVID surge and cardiovascular diseases ( strokes and heart attacks) during the holiday season. Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year's than at any other time: https://t.co/8UUfIZlGuW https://t.co/2qogXYOSjA

Nov 29, 2020 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 87,665 followers View post →
Neil
@basementvegan · X

Cardiac Mortality Is Higher Around Christmas and New Year’s Than at Any Other Time - The Holidays as a Risk Factor for Death [Just reporting] https://t.co/9dpWav0fVm

Nov 27, 2020 · 2 likes · 9,789 followers View post →
.
@guevaraspato · X

RT @docramiro: evitar un consumo excesivo de alcohol (considerando que es arritmogénico), manejo adecuado de comórbidos y valorar uso de as…

Jan 1, 2020 · 3 shares · 332 followers View post →
DrLuisMedInterna
@DrLuisLoMe · X

RT @docramiro: evitar un consumo excesivo de alcohol (considerando que es arritmogénico), manejo adecuado de comórbidos y valorar uso de as…

Dec 31, 2019 · 3 shares · 53 followers View post →
Ramiro Esparza
@docramiro · X

evitar un consumo excesivo de alcohol (considerando que es arritmogénico), manejo adecuado de comórbidos y valorar uso de aspirina y beta bloqueadores acorde al escenario clínico. Cuidemos estos días nuestra salud. Circulation: https://t.co/kifkfFoL6n, https://t.co/0kmsnhdohM https://t.co/9l6LJ85Fje

Dec 31, 2019 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 68,596 followers View post →
Aggie
@MediumRare2178 · X

RT @ChristianAssad: 3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 7 shares · 213 followers View post →
monica
@mscp2012 · X

RT @ChristianAssad: 3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 7 shares · 535 followers View post →
Agnes Ayton
@AgnesAyton · X

RT @ChristianAssad: 3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 7 shares · 7,426 followers View post →
WitchyLilith
@WitchyLilithTTV · X

RT @ChristianAssad: 3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 7 shares · 944 followers View post →
JotaManifesto
@JotaManifesto · X

RT @ChristianAssad: 3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 7 shares · 5,188 followers View post →
Christian Assad, MD
@ChristianAssad · X

3rd STEMI of the NIGHT

Dec 27, 2019 · 35 likes · 7 shares · 24,736 followers View post →