It was supposed to be a Christmas full of family and joy for Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his loved ones, but General Hospital viewers were left on the edge of their seats as a troubling moment left fans wondering if the beloved mob boss was facing a life-threatening situation.
A Christmas Eve to Remember
The Corinthos family enjoyed a heartfelt Christmas Eve together, highlighted by Sonny’s homemade dinner with his kids and Carly (Laura Wright). But as the night unfolded, it was his time with his daughter Kristina (Kate Mansi) that turned out to be the most meaningful. After a difficult year—marked by the tragic loss of her baby, the heartbreaking death of Sam (ex-Kelly Monaco), a breakup with her girlfriend, and tension with her sister Molly (Kristen Vaganos)—Kristina had been struggling. But spending time with her father provided a glimmer of hope.
They shared a peaceful moment in Rice Plaza, watching as Laura (Genie Francis) lit the Christmas tree. Despite her earlier worries about feeling empty this Christmas, Kristina confided in Sonny that being with him brought back the wonder and magic of the season.
A Sudden and Startling Moment
But as the Christmas Eve festivities came to a close, things took a worrying turn. Kristina decided to stay the night at her father’s, and the two shared a comforting moment cuddled on the couch. She expressed her gratitude, telling Sonny that she wouldn’t have made it through the past year without him. After Kristina went to bed, Sonny stepped out onto the balcony, looking out over Port Charles as snow began to fall.
However, what should have been a serene moment quickly turned unsettling. As he turned off the lights and prepared for bed, Sonny suddenly froze, his hand clutching his chest as he winced in pain. The brief but intense moment left fans questioning: was this the start of a heart attack?
Could It Be a Heart Attack—or Something Else?
While the scene lasted only a moment before Sonny headed to bed, it was enough to spark concern. Given Sonny’s complicated life and the physical toll it has taken, the possibility of a heart attack cannot be ruled out. But there’s also the chance that the pain was linked to anxiety or a panic attack, a theme that’s been explored in Sonny’s storyline before. Maurice Benard, who portrays Sonny, has been open about his own struggles with anxiety, even discussing the physical symptoms of panic attacks on his podcast State of Mind.
Considering Sonny’s history of mental health challenges, it would not be surprising if this sudden pain was a manifestation of his anxiety, creating a tense moment that leaves his family—and the audience—wondering just how serious the situation might be.
What’s Next for Sonny?
As the story unfolds, fans are left anxiously awaiting answers. Was this just a moment of panic, or is something more serious at play? Whatever happens, it’s clear that this Christmas won’t be the end of the drama for Sonny Corinthos and his family.
Stay tuned to General Hospital as the suspense continues to build in Port Charles—General Hospital airs weekdays at 2 pm ET on ABC.
