Objectives Risk factors for stroke include psychological effects, such as depression.
Festive occasions (such as Christmas in Hungary) may carry a significant emotional
impact and may therefore contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. Thrombolytic
treatment of acute ischemic stroke has a narrow time window and allows for the precise
assessment of stroke incidence. Materials & Methods We analyzed anonymized national
data of the number of thrombolytic treatments for acute ischemic stroke and the number
of stroke-related deaths between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016 in Hungary within
2-day, 5-day, and 1-month periods preceding and following 24 December each year. Analysis
of subgroups based on age (below and over 65 years) and sex was also performed. Results
The number of thrombolytic treatments was higher in all three periods preceding Christmas
compared to the corresponding period that follows the feast. This increase was particularly
prominent in men below 65 years of age. While overall stroke-associated mortality
was increased 1 month after Christmas, the death rate was higher a month before rather
than after Christmas in men below 65 years of age and in women both below and over
65 years of age 5 days before Christmas. Conclusions These findings may predominantly
relate to emotional and psychological factors. In case of women, the anxiety secondary
to festive preparations, while in men below 65 years, the increased psychological
stress of providing financial security for the celebration may play an important role.
