There is a seasonal pattern of deaths from heart attacks with more fatal events (20 to 30 percent variation) occurring in the winter than the summer. But this seasonal pattern is absent in diabetics or those taking beta blockers or aspirin.
The heart attack trends are independent of gender, geographic location, age, and the type of heart attack (ST elevation or non-ST elevation). In-hospital mortality fatality rates for heart attack also follow a seasonal pattern, with a peak of 9 percent in winter and 8.4% in the summer.
Deaths from heart attack are highest in January and lowest in September, with a relative risk difference of 18.6 percent.
About the author: Dr K K Aggarwal is Padmashri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee, President Heart Care Foundation of India, Dean Board of Medical Education Moolchand Medcity, Sr. Physician & Cardiologist, Chairman Ethics Committee Delhi Medical Council, Visiting professor Clinical Research DIPSAR, Past President Delhi Medical Association and Past Academic and Research Wing Heads IMA.
