‘Holiday effect’ to blame for peak in heart deaths over Christmas, experts claim
Combination of stress and too much booze and food to blame for rise in heart fatalities, rather than the cold weather
HEART deaths spike over the festive period with experts blaming the “holiday effect” rather than cold weather, a study suggests.
Researchers claim family stress, too much booze and food and a reluctance to seek medical help fuel the rise.
Another theory is that people try for one last big family day before their hearts fail.
Research has found heart fatalities in the US rise around five per cent over Christmas, with winter blamed for much of the rise.
But a similar study in New Zealand found Kiwis were also 4.2 per cent more likely to suffer heart deaths over Christmas and New Year, even though it is summer there.
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Lead researcher Josh Knight, of Melbourne University, Australia said: “The Christmas period is a common time for travel, with people frequently away from their main medical facilities. This could contribute to delays in seeking treatment.”
And many terminally ill patients try and hold on till after Christmas.
Last winter, 5,900 more people died from heart problems in the UK, despite it being the third warmest on record.
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It is important for people with heart conditions to take necessary precautions over the festive period and not delay seeing a doctor if they have concerns.”