Christmas holiday triggers of myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objectives: Christmas holidays have been associated with the highest incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). We wanted to assess possible triggers of MI during Christmas. Design: A nationwide, retrospective postal survey with case-control design. All individuals suffering an MI during the Christmas holidays 2018 and 2019 in Sweden were identified through the SWEDEHEART registry and a control group matched in age and gender with chronic coronary syndrome who did not seek medical attention during Christmas were asked for participation. Subjects completed a questionnaire asking them to rate 27 potential MI-triggers as having occurred more or less than usual. Results: A total of 189 patients suffering an MI on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day, and 157 patients in the control group responded to the questionnaire, representing response rates of 66% and 62%, respectively. Patients with MI on Christmas experienced more stress (37% vs. 21%, p =.002), depression (21% vs. 11%, p =.024), and worry (26% vs. 10%, p