As it turns out, the weekend isn't the only one that ends on Monday — your heart might be having a hard time with that day, too. According to a recent British study, Monday is the most likely day of the week to have the most dangerous type of heart attack.
"On Monday, our hearts seem to have a harder time handling the stress of going back to work. According to recent research by the British Heart Foundation, the most dangerous type of heart attack, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is more likely to occur on this day than any other day of the week.
Cheese Nilesh Samani, medical director British Heart Foundation, said: “Now we need to find out what exactly increases this probability on certain days of the week. This could help doctors better understand this deadly condition and save more lives in the future.”
There is some evidence that the increase in STEMI heart attacks is related to stress hormones. Cardiologist Jack Laffan is for Daily Mail said: “This is thought to be due to the stress of returning to work. Increased stress causes an increase in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is associated with a higher risk of heart attack.”
A STEMI occurs when one of the arteries that carry blood supplies the heart muscle, blocked. Because of this blockage, the heart muscle begins to die, and the weakened heart is unable to pump blood to the rest of the body.
This new study is just one of many investigations into the timing patterns and causes of heart attacks. A 2005 study found that heart attacks on these “Blue Monday", the most depressing day of the year, more common in men and associated with alcohol consumption.
As the saying goes, 'prevention is better than cure'. Be aware of the stress that comes with your job and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and plenty of time for rest and relaxation. It is also important to see your doctor regularly for preventive check-ups and to monitor your heart health.
"We know that heart attacks are more common in winter and in the early morning hours. The same effect is seen in stroke rates. Previous studies have also shown a higher rate of heart attacks in the days after the clocks are moved forward for daylight saving time," added Laffan.
"The exact mechanism of these variations is unknown, but we hypothesize that it is related to the influence of the circadian rhythm on circulating hormones, which can affect heart and stroke."
So while Monday may not be your favorite day, it's important not to let it be stress put your heart health at risk that day. Take care of your heart and protect it from Monday stress. Because, as the old saying goes, "a healthy mind resides in a healthy body," and this also applies to a healthy heart.
