Heart Attacks Don’t Take Holidays: Look After Your Heart This Christmas

Christmas is a time for full plates, full calendars, and full houses - but it’s also a time when hearts are under extra pressure.

Often referred to as the "Christmas holiday effect" or "holiday heart syndrome" (HHS), December and January are the peak months for heart-related deaths in New Zealand and around the world.

Kia Manawanui Trust - The Heart of Aotearoa Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says Christmas can be a stressful time, so it’s important to stay well through a busy and demanding time of year.

A 2016 New Zealand study, which analysed 25 years of national mortality data (1988-2013), found a 4.2 percent increase in cardiac deaths occurring outside of hospital between December 25 and January 7.

"Nobody wants a health lecture with their pavlova, but the numbers are hard to ignore," Ms Harding says.

"The holiday period often means more stress, richer food, more alcohol, disrupted routines, and people putting their own health last.

"A little awareness can go a long way."

Trust Medical Director and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Sarah Fairley says waiting too long to seek help is one of the biggest risks.

"Heart attacks don’t take holidays.

"Every year, people ignore symptoms because they don’t want to interrupt celebrations or think they can wait until after Christmas."

Prevention and early action is especially important, Dr Fairley says.

"Seeking help early is always safer, but it’s especially important during the holiday period - early presentation makes a real difference for patient outcomes."

Symptoms to watch out for - and seek urgent medical attention - are chest pain, a feeling of pressure, aching or heaviness in the chest, arms or jaw, and any feeling of difficulty breathing.

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