(NEXSTAR) – While the holiday season is often a chance to relax and connect with loved ones, it can also pose health challenges, particularly a condition known as “holiday heart syndrome.”

“Holiday heart syndrome involves the onset of cardiac rhythm issues or heart failure around the festive period,” explained Dr. Luke Laffin, a preventive cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic, in a recent statement.

Data from the American Heart Association (AHA) reveals that more people pass away between December 25 and January 1 than during any other week of the year.

“For many, the holidays are a hectic and often stressful period,” remarked Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, alongside professor Eileen M. Foell, in a statement from the AHA. “We tend to disrupt our routines, indulging more in food and drink while neglecting exercise and relaxation. Additionally, we might ignore our bodies’ signals, postponing attention to warning signs until after the new year.”