Cardiac Arrest Patterns After Holidays

Association strongest after multiday holidays and in several higher-risk patient groups.

By
Kathryn Wighton
March 6, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Objective:

To analyze the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on the first working day after holidays compared to the same day of the week in baseline periods.

Approach:

Key Findings:

9% higher incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on the first working day after holidays.
Median daily counts: 88 vs 80.
Increased incidence confined to the first day after holidays.
Higher incidence observed in older adults, patients with cardiac causes, and nonshockable rhythms.
Longer holiday durations correlated with higher postholiday cardiac arrest incidence.

Interpretation:

The increase in cardiac arrests post-holidays may be linked to behavioral and physiological changes, such as sleep disruption and increased stress, as individuals transition back to structured routines.

Limitations:

Observational design limits causal inference.
Unwitnessed cardiac arrests may affect timing accuracy.
Missing data on variables like bystander CPR and initial cardiac rhythm.
Inability to account for personal vacations outside the national holiday system.

Conclusion:

The first working day after holidays is associated with increased out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence, especially in older adults and those with cardiac issues. Further research is needed on contributing factors such as sleep patterns and stress.