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The winter months are known for serving sickness on a silver platter. Pair frigid temperatures with irregular sleep cycles, fewer than the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, one too many glasses of wine and a whirlwind social calendar, and you’ll find yourself sipping the perfect cocktail for a Christmas common cold. But a stuffy nose isn’t the only health risk at this time of year the holidays can be hazardous to your health, affecting everything from blood pressure to your psyche.
The Christmas Holiday Effect
Research notes elevated rates of cardiovascular-based mortality over the late-December holiday period in the U.S.—something known as the “Christmas Holiday Effect” (though it applies to all holidays at this time of year). A 2016 study conducted by Journal of the American Heart Association tested the theory in New Zealand, specifically focusing on the link between the U.S.’s cold climate during the holiday season and the rise in cardiovascular deaths. The study found 4.2% more people die from cardiac events outside of a hospital between Dec. 25 and Jan. 7.
“The holidays are certainly a challenging time for patients with heart disease,” says Micah J. Eimer, M.D., a cardiologist, medical director at Northwestern Medicine Glenview in Glenview, Illinois, and 2021 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “We definitely see an increase in patients presenting to the office and the hospital with issues related to fluid management, poorly controlled blood pressure and ischemic heart disease.”
The Christmas Holiday Effect is observed in countries worldwide. In 2021, Norway published a study noting elevated death rates connected to cardiovascular disease during the holiday period, and similar patterns were reported in Sweden and Canada as well. A 2018 study in Denmark found high cholesterol to be common after celebrating the Christmas holiday, and while further research is needed to determine a specific cause, experts suggest these conditions may be related to elevated heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol, general cardiovascular disease risk and change in activity level, all of which are prominent in winter months in the U.S.
“Patients are eating out more, they’re going to holiday parties and there is more food around the workplace,” says Dr. Eimer. “All of this leads to increased intake of salt, carbs and alcohol compared to other times of the year.”
Delays in seeking care during the holiday season is also a suspected potential contributor. “Patients may downplay or ignore warning symptoms to avoid missing holiday events,” adds Dr. Eimer. “This also contributes to a significant bump in patient visits immediately after the holidays.”
Emergency rooms also experience the Christmas Holiday Effect, specifically in an increase of patients with psychiatric symptoms, including self-harm and suicide attempts. One study reported that while there is a decrease in psychiatric patients leading up to Christmas, a rebound seems to occur after the holiday. And though not all patients diagnosed with a mental health disorder find themselves in an emergency room at this time of year, 40% say their conditions worsen over the holiday season.
