The winter holiday season is meant to be a time of celebration and getting together with close friends and family. The American Heart Association cautioned that this is also the time of year when doctors report the highest number of heart attack fatalities of any season.

According to research, the last week of December sees a rise in heart attack fatalities. The AHA cited a study that revealed the majority of fatal heart attacks normally happened around Christmas and New Year's during the two decades before the study, which was published in 2004 in Circulation.


Why more heart attacks result in death during the winter than at other times of the year is a mystery to experts. But it's likely that a number of things are at play.

Dr. Mitchell S.V. Elkind, chief clinical science officer for the AHA, stated in a news release that the stress of the holiday season as well as the disturbance of our typical eating, sleeping, and exercise patterns may contribute to an increased risk. In addition, Elkind noted, "we might not be listening to our bodies or heeding warning signs, thinking a trip to the doctor can wait until after the new year."


It's vital to be aware that all of these factors may operate cumulatively to raise the risk for a fatal cardiac event, Elkin continued.


Even though cold weather may raise certain people's risk of heart attacks by causing blood vessels to constrict, research suggests that this seasonal effect also expresses itself in areas of the country with milder climates, such as Los Angeles.


The AHA advises that even while experts are unaware of what's driving the seasonal rise, it's a good idea to maintain heart-healthy eating and drinking habits, get regular exercise, keep taking your regular medications, and find methods to avoid stress throughout the year.

The AHA warns that there are many warning indications you should never ignore even though it may seem inconvenient to seek medical attention right away. These signs consist of:


  • chest discomfort or agony.

  • headaches, nausea, or dizziness

  • Back, neck, or jaw ache.

  • soreness or discomfort in one shoulder or arm.

  • breathing issue.


These symptoms regularly co-occur, as TODAY.Com previously mentioned, and you might also find that you're no longer able to exert yourself physically as much as you once could.


In addition, women may present with milder heart attack symptoms than men. The most common symptom for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort, while women are more likely to also have symptoms like nausea and tiredness.