Why Heart Attacks Spike During the Holidays
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Updated on November 24, 2025
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The holidays are supposed to be a time of good cheer, but winter festivities may also bring an increase in cardiovascular risks. More people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than at any other time of the year.
Multiple factors may contribute to this spike in heart attacks during the holidays, such as the increased stress that occurs this time of year, overindulgence in alcohol and rich foods, and even cold weather exposure.
People also tend to delay treatment for heart health symptoms over the holidays, potentially leading to worse outcomes. If you’re already at risk of heart problems, you shouldn’t let Christmas or the other winter holidays throw you too far off your healthy living game plan.
The Holiday Factors That Raise Heart Attack Risks
There are probably many different reasons why heart attacks spike over the holidays. It’s a time of year when many of us abandon our healthy habits, drink more heavily, and willingly overindulge in rich foods. At the same time, you may encounter extra stress from traveling, stretching your budget, or spending time with extended family.
Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the major contributors to holiday heart attack risk. Booze sales spike at the end of the year, and binge drinking is common even among people who otherwise don’t drink heavily, especially on New Year’s Eve.
All this excessive drinking can increase your heart attack risk. Excessive alcohol intake may contribute to inflammation and dyslipidemia, making coronary artery disease worse. Repeated episodes of binge drinking may contribute to inflammation, stiffness of the arteries, and increased blood pressure, thereby increasing heart attack risk.
Additionally, it’s possible that drinking may act as a heart attack trigger. Basically, it’s not a good idea to use the holidays as an excuse to add to alcohol consumption.
“We used to think that a drink or two a day may be heart healthy. That thinking was probably wrong. Newer data appears to support that alcohol intake at any level over time increases your heart risk,” says Robert Ostfeld, MD, director of preventive cardiology at Montefiore Einstein. The American Heart Association says that if you don’t drink, you should not start.
Rich, Salty Food
From cheese and charcuterie boards to salty and buttery side dishes to fudge and other desserts, the holidays are full of treats. It’s a time of feasting, which unfortunately, isn’t the best for your heart.
Of course, you’re already aware that these foods are bad for your long-term health. Dr. Ostfeld says that “eating more processed meats, ‘junk foods,’ and treats, and fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole grains,” sets you up for heart trouble, increasing your risk of heart attack.
But it’s possible that even just one huge meal can trigger a cardiac event, if you’re already at risk. Heart health emergencies often happen within an hour of a heavy meal, and a single high-fat meal causes cardiovascular health changes within just a few hours, spiking inflammation and destabilizing fatty plaque deposits.
This doesn’t mean you need to totally deprive yourself over the holidays. It just means you also need to exercise self-control and be strategic about what you choose to indulge in.
High Stress and Disrupted Routines
There’s no doubt about it, the holidays can be stressful. You might experience stress from dealing with family drama, or maybe you’re feeling the pressure of having to cook dinner for 15 visiting relatives.
Emotional distress and higher stress levels may contribute to the higher levels of heart attacks that happen during the holidays. Stress and worry can both act as possible heart attack triggers, particularly for women.
Additionally, the holidays are not exactly a time when things are normal and allow you to follow the habits you may follow the rest of the year.
Consistent healthy habits are a key component of reducing heart attack risk and it makes sense how these healthy habits might fall by the wayside during the holidays. For example, you might not be getting enough sleep or staying on top of daily needs for physical activity. For another thing, Ostfeld says that “people may forget to bring their prescription medications or sleep apnea devices with them when they travel, potentially increasing their heart risk.”
Seasonal Risks
Another element that increases the possibility of heart troubles is cold weather, which can lead to the arteries narrowing and blood not flowing as well as it would in warmer weather. When the body is exposed to cold, blood pressure, heart rate, and red blood cell concentration can increase. These can then add to the chances of experiencing a heart attack.
Additionally, outdoor exercise (like shoveling snow) may add to how much work the heart has to do, further adding to risk.
Seasonal illnesses can also play a role in heart health risks. The flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all believed to increase heart attack risk. Viral infections encourage inflammation and blood clotting in the body, which then makes it harder for the heart to do its job and can encourage plaque formation in the arteries.
Alcohol and Holiday Heart Syndrome
Heavy drinking doesn’t just raise heart attack risks, it is also the cause of a specific condition known as holiday heart syndrome.
Holiday heart syndrome occurs when binge drinking causes abnormal heart rhythms, most commonly atrial fibrillation.
“Holiday heart syndrome can come on out of the blue and feel like your heart is racing or skipping beats,” says Ostfeld. It often occurs “in otherwise healthy people after episodes of heavy drinking.”
While holiday heart syndrome generally gets better without medical treatment, the symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from more serious cardiovascular events. If you experience heart palpitations that won’t stop or other symptoms like chest pain, it’s critical to seek emergency medical treatment.
Ostfield says it’s a good idea to keep the alcohol consumption light, even during times of celebration. “If responsibly having one or two drinks may bring some holiday cheer, that is probably okay,” he says.
Don’t Ignore Symptoms, and Stay in Tune With How You Feel
People may dismiss symptoms or put off addressing them because it’s a busy time of year, according to American Heart Association volunteer Fatima Rodriguez, MD, an associate professor in cardiovascular medicine with Stanford Health Care in California. Although no one wants to spend time in a doctor’s office or hospital during the holidays, prompt medical intervention for heart attacks can save lives.
Seeking treatment immediately for a heart attack improves the chances of survival and can decrease the amount of heart damage that occurs. Outcomes can sometimes be worse for people who are treated for heart attacks during off-hours and holidays, including an increased risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event following heart attack treatment. It’s also possible that it may take longer to receive treatment during off-hours. As such, it’s critical to not delay treatment further on your end.
With holiday heart syndrome, palpitations (a feeling that your heart is fluttering) is the most common symptom. The atrial fibrillation from holiday heart syndrome typically resolves on its own. Treatment can include the possible prevention of stroke, making sure there aren’t other heart problems occurring, and addressing alcohol-related symptoms.
If you feel pain or discomfort, it can be difficult to know the cause or seriousness of your symptoms. Symptoms of a heart attack attack include:
- Discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body, such as the arms, stomach, shoulders, neck, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking out in a cold sweat, lightheadedness, or feelings of nausea
The signs of a heart attack in women tend to be more subtle, and they often lack the dramatic heart-clutching pain you might expect. To make things more confusing, it’s also possible to mistake signs of heart attack for heartburn.
If you already have heart disease, it might be wise to ask your doctor now what sort of symptoms should prompt a call for assistance, and which symptoms demand a quick trip to the emergency room.
Heart-Healthy Tips for the Holidays
The American Heart Association offers a few suggestions to help keep heart trouble away at the holidays:
- Stay active. It’s easy to see how exercise can fall by the wayside during the holidays. “You might consider starting a tradition of taking a walk before or after a big meal,” says Dr. Rodriguez, who adds that there are many ways to get some exercise with family and friends.
- Don’t forget your medications. Taking your prescribed medications is part of decreasing your chances of having a heart attack: “Remember to take your medications every day, just as you would, and continue to prioritize healthful habits just as you have during the year,” says Rodriguez.
- Celebrate in moderation. While it’s okay to indulge in treats and drink to some extent, don’t overdo it. For example, opt for smaller portions of foods that are high in salt and saturated fat, or consider bringing a healthy dish to a gathering to help ensure that a healthy option is available.
- Take time for yourself. Be sure to make room in a busy holiday schedule to do the activities that help you de-stress. “Be mindful and take care of your mental health,” says Rodriguez. “Maybe take a few minutes to wake up a little bit early and take some time for yourself.”
The Takeaway
- The holiday season can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, due to factors like stress, dietary indulgence, alcohol consumption, and cold weather exposure.
- Alcohol consumption should be kept moderate, as binge drinking during the holidays can lead to holiday heart syndrome or even increase heart attack risk in vulnerable individuals.
- It’s important to recognize and promptly respond to heart attack symptoms, such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath, as delaying treatment can worsen outcomes.
- Maintaining heart-healthy habits like regular exercise, taking medications diligently, and managing stress can help lower the increased heart attack risks during holiday festivities.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: Cardiac Risk Calculator
- Mass Brigham General: Heart Health in Winter
- American Heart Association: Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Attack
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Alcohol and Heart Health: Separating Fact from Fiction
- Tufts Medicine: Eight Tips for a Healthy Holiday Eating
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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Chung Yoon, MD
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Chung Yoon, MD, is a noninvasive cardiologist with a passion for diagnosis, prevention, intervention, and treatment of a wide range of heart and cardiovascular disorders. He enjoys clinical decision-making and providing patient care in both hospital and outpatient settings. He excels at analytical and decision-making skills and building connection and trust with patients and their families.
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