Study Shows Some Ignore Health Problems On Holidays

The holidays are upon us -- a time to enjoy the season, a time to shop, a time to travel and for some, a time to put off treating health problems.

Delaying medical treatment during the holidays may contribute to a phenomenon called "the holiday effect" -- the subject of a new study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The holiday effect is an increase in death rates during the winter holidays -- above and beyond what is normally expected for the season itself. According to the study of 53 million death certificates over nearly 30 years, which looked at Christmas and New Year's, both cardiac and noncardiac deaths spike on these holidays.

"We examined 53 million computerized death certificates for the period 1973 through 2001," said David Phillips, professor of sociology for University of California, San Diego. "For cardiac deaths, there are more deaths on Christmas than on any other day of the year. The second most common day for dying from cardiac death is December 26, and the third most common day for dying is January 1."

Previous research suggests factors such as overindulgence, emotional stress and respiratory problems may contribute to the holiday effect, but this study cites several new potential factors.

"We looked at something like 10 alternative explanations for these findings -- including the possibility that people are drinking extra on these occasions, that their diets change that their exercise changes, various things like this we examined -- and so far, the only explanations that fit the data are two. One is that patients appear to delay getting necessary medical care during the holidays," Phillips said.

In some places, it may be more difficult to fully staff hospitals during the holidays.

If you're traveling this holiday season, plan ahead. Don't skip that regular visit; take plenty of your prescription medications with you; find out about medical resources at your destination; likewise for family members visiting you. Also, don't delay seeking medical care if you develop symptoms.

"If while traveling you experience symptoms of, let's say, a pain in your chest or some other kind of worrisome symptom, pay attention to those symptoms and do something about it just as you would if you were at home," Phillips said. "Don't delay seeking care just because you're on holiday."

The study found the holiday effect in both people with chronic heart conditions and for people with no prior history of heart problems.

One other reason not to put off medical care during the holidays is that most people have met their health insurance deductible for the year, so they'll be fully covered. After New Year's, that money starts coming out of your pocket.