Cardiac Arrest Patterns After Holidays

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

1

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence increased by 9% on the first working day after holidays compared to baseline weekdays.
2

The study analyzed 203,471 adult cases from 2013 to 2023, identifying 49,199 cardiac arrests on postholiday weekdays.
3

Higher incidence rates were observed in patients older than 65 years and those with cardiac causes of arrest.
4

Longer holiday durations correlated with increased cardiac arrest incidence, particularly after 2-day or longer holidays.
5

Behavioral and physiological changes during holiday transitions may contribute to increased cardiac arrest risk on postholiday weekdays.