Researchers examined whether the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) changes after holidays. Using a nationwide registry in South Korea, they analyzed more than 200,000 cardiac arrest cases that occurred between 2013 and 2023. They compared the number of cardiac arrests that happened on the first workday after a holiday or weekend with those occurring on typical weekdays. The goal was to understand whether the transition back to work or routine life might be associated with a higher risk of cardiac emergencies.
The study found that cardiac arrests were about 9% more common on the first weekday after a holiday period than on other weekdays. This increase was especially noticeable after two or more consecutive days off, such as weekends or extended holiday breaks. The pattern was most pronounced among older adults (over age 65) and in cases where the cardiac arrest was caused by heart-related conditions.
Overall, the findings suggest that the first day back after holidays may represent a period of increased cardiovascular risk. The authors note that recognizing this pattern reinforces the need for preparedness and could also help emergency services prepare for potential surges in cardiac arrest cases.
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SOURCE: JAMA