Increased Cardiac Arrest Risk During the Holidays

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration. Yet year after year, medical data tells a sobering story: the incidence of cardiac arrest rises significantly during the holidays, particularly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Understanding why this happen and how to prepare can mean the difference between life and death.

Below are five critical factors that contribute to increased cardiac arrest risk during the holidays, and what we can do about them.

1. Holiday Stress Puts Extra Strain on the Heart

Financial pressures, travel demands, family obligations, and packed schedules elevate stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This heightened stress increases blood pressure and heart rate, which can trigger dangerous cardiac events—especially in individuals with underlying heart disease.

2. Changes in Diet and Alcohol Consumption Increase Risk

Holiday meals are often high in sodium, fat, and sugar, all of which can negatively affect heart health. Add increased alcohol consumption to the mix, and the risk of heart rhythm disturbances rises sharply—a phenomenon sometimes called “holiday heart syndrome.”

3. Cold Weather Contributes to Cardiac Events

Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure and forcing the heart to work harder. Activities like shoveling snow or rushing between holiday errands can push the heart beyond its limits, particularly in older adults.

4. Delayed Medical Care During the Holidays

People are more likely to ignore symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath during the holidays—either not wanting to “ruin” celebrations or assuming help won’t be readily available. Emergency response times may also be longer due to travel congestion and weather conditions.

5. Cardiac Arrest Survival Depends on Immediate Action

Sudden cardiac arrest survival decreases by 7–10% for every minute without defibrillation. During the holidays, families gather, workplaces host events, and communities come together, placing more people at risk but also creating more opportunities for lifesaving intervention.

The holidays bring people together—but they also bring heightened cardiac risk. Awareness, preparedness, and access to an AED transform bystanders into lifesavers. Whether at home, in the workplace, or at community gatherings, being prepared ensures that the season of giving can also be a season of saving lives.

This holiday season, the most meaningful gift may be one that gives someone more time.