The day most likely to trigger an acute myocardial infarction is Christmas Eve – at least in Sweden – according to a new analysis.
Researchers said the risk peaks at about 10pm on Christmas Eve – and that the day is linked to a 37% increased risk.
An analysis of the daily risk of AMI, reported in the Christmas edition of The BMJ, also finds that Christmas day and the country’s midsummer holiday are linked to increased risk.
First thing in the morning – 8am – and Mondays were also more likely than other times to trigger illness as was New Year’s Day.
The researchers say that Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration in Sweden.
They analysed details of more than 280,000 patients over a 16-year period.
Led by cardiologist David Erlinge, of Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, the researchers say: “Experiences of anger, anxiety, sadness, grief and stress have previously been found to increase the risk of heart attack, as well as physical activity and lifestyle changes.
“People are more likely to experience these heightened emotions during the national holiday periods – and older people and those with a history of diabetes and coronary artery disease were found to be more vulnerable to these short term triggers.”
Christmas, national holidays, sport events, and time factors as triggers of acute myocardial infarction: SWEDEHEART observational study 1998-2013. 13 December 2018
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