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Mondays are often marked by fear, but it’s not just the start of the week that makes people upset. The most serious heart attacks are most likely to occur on this day, a study has found.
The study, led by doctors from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, looked at the records of 10,528 patients admitted to hospitals across the island of Ireland (including the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). .
These patients had been hospitalized between 2013 and 2018 with the most severe type of heart attack known as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
This occurs when the main coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart become completely blocked. Without emergency treatment, STEMI can be fatal.
We also observed a higher than expected STEMI-related hospitalization rate on Sunday.
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Researchers found that the incidence of STEMI heart attacks increased significantly at the beginning of the work week, with Monday being the highest (13% increase). It was also found that the STEMI incidence on Sunday was higher than expected.
What is causing this effect?
Scientists are perplexed by this phenomenon. Previous research showing an increased chance of a heart attack earlier in the week suggests a link to the body’s circadian rhythm, which governs sleep-wake cycles.cardiologist
Dr Jacques Laffan, who led the study at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said there was a “curiosity” that there could be multiple explanations for the “strong statistical correlation” between the start of the week and the incidence of STEMI. It is explained that.
“The cause is likely multifactorial, but based on what we know from previous studies, it is reasonable to assume a circadian component.”
Season and time of day are also associated with an increased incidence of heart attacks, he added. “We know that heart attacks are more likely to occur in the winter and early in the morning. The same effect is seen on stroke event rates. Past studies have shown that heart attacks are more likely to occur in the days after clocks move toward daylight saving time. It has been shown that the incidence is higher.
“The exact mechanism behind these fluctuations is unknown, but it may be related to how circadian rhythms affect circulating hormones that can influence heart attacks and strokes.
“The stress of returning to work may be the culprit. Increased stress increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is associated with an increased risk of heart attack.”
Heart attacks are more likely to occur in winter and early in the morning.
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The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has added a warning to the findings. STEMI heart attacks are more likely to occur on Mondays, but this does not mean they are less likely to occur on the rest of the week.
“Whether it’s Monday, Tuesday or any other day of the week, heart attacks are one of the most common medical emergencies,” the BHF says.
However, BHF Medical Director Professor Sir Nilesh Samani said this does not in any way diminish the importance of the discovery, as it could have significant implications.
He explained: “Every five minutes someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a life-threatening heart attack, so it’s vital that research continues to understand how and why heart attacks occur.
“This study adds to the evidence on the timing of particularly severe heart attacks, but we still need to clarify why certain days of the week are more likely to cause heart attacks. It will help doctors diagnose this deadly condition. We will understand more and save more lives in the future.”
How do I know if I’m having a heart attack?
Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain – a feeling of tightness, heaviness, squeezing, or tightness in the chest
- Pain in other parts of the body – The pain may feel like it’s radiating from your chest to your arm (usually the left arm, but sometimes both arms can be affected), jaw, neck, back, and stomach.
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- Feeling unwell (nausea) or sick (vomiting)
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- cough or wheezing
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, the NHS advises that you call 999 for an ambulance.
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