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Increased fluid accumulation, reduced physical activity and heart rate variability during national holidays in

Anneli Olsson1,2, Rebecca Rylance1, Rasmus Borgquist1

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Box 117, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|February 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

National holidays are linked to decreased thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, and activity in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This may explain the increased risk of myocardial infarction during these periods.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Myocardial infarction (MI) incidence rises during national holidays, possibly due to dietary overindulgence.
  • Vulnerable individuals may experience cardiac strain from lifestyle changes during holidays.
  • Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) offer continuous monitoring of physiological parameters like thoracic impedance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between national holidays and cardiac metrics in patients with CIEDs.
  • To assess changes in thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, and activity during holidays.
  • To explore potential mechanisms linking holiday behaviors to cardiovascular events.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patients with CIEDs at a Swedish tertiary care hospital.
  • Inclusion criteria: data available for at least one national holiday (Christmas, New Year, Midsummer) between June 2015 and January 2020.
  • Comparison of thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, and activity during holidays versus baseline periods.

Main Results:

  • 96 patients (82% male, mean age 69 years) with 649 patient-holidays were analyzed.
  • Significant decreases observed during holidays: thoracic impedance (1.1 Ohm), heart rate variability (8.0 ms), and daily activity (40 minutes).
  • One case of ventricular tachycardia requiring shock therapy occurred during a holiday period.

Conclusions:

  • National holidays are associated with transient decreases in thoracic impedance, heart rate variability, and physical activity.
  • These physiological changes may contribute to the observed increase in myocardial infarction incidence during holidays.
  • CIED monitoring can detect these holiday-related cardiovascular changes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiac resynchronization therapyChristmasEating behaviourHolidayImplantable cardioverter defibrillatorMyocardial infarctionPrevention

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