According to a new study of over 10,000 patients, serious heart attacks are most likely to occur on Monday.
These serious heart attacks are classified as ‘STEMI’ (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), a term used to describe a dire cardiac event in which one of the major coronary arteries becomes entirely obstructed.
'STEMI' occurs when a major coronary artery is completely blocked. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, stomach pain, sweating, and more.
Scientists believe the association between heart attacks and Monday to be multifactorial, however, it is reasonable to assume that stress levels and the body’s sleep cycle play a role.
The phenomenon of heart attacks being more prevalent on Mondays is not a mere coincidence but rather a complex interplay of various factors. While this revelation is multifactorial in nature, two pivotal elements are emerging as potential catalysts: stress levels and the body's circadian rhythm.
Stress, the omnipresent specter in our modern lives, has long been recognized as a significant contributor to cardiovascular problems.
Mondays often mark the beginning of a workweek filled with deadlines, meetings, and the anticipation of challenges ahead. The stress and anxiety that accompany the start of a new week can exert a formidable toll on the cardiovascular system, potentially culminating in the catastrophic events that we observe in these STEMI cases.
Furthermore, the body's intrinsic circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle, may play an indispensable role in this disconcerting phenomenon.
Over the course of a typical weekend, many individuals experience a shift in their sleep patterns, characterized by late nights and prolonged sleep-ins. This divergence from the usual sleep schedule can wreak havoc on the body's internal clock, leading to disruptions in hormonal balance and blood pressure regulation, both of which are known to influence heart health.
The abrupt transition from weekend indulgence to the rigors of the workweek may further accentuate these disruptions, potentially serving as a trigger for STEMI events on Monday.
