According to new research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester, serious heart attacks are more likely to occur on a Monday compared to other days of the week.
According to research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference, the most serious types of heart attacks are more likely to happen on Monday than any other day of the week.
Research shows Americans have more fatal heart attacks during the holiday season than any other time of the year. In fact, according to a study published in Circulation, the top three days for heart attacks are December 25, December 26 and January 1, respectively.
“I understand that heart attacks have beginnings and on occasion, signs of an impending heart attack may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, shoulder and/or arm pain and weakness. These may occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack.
Heart attacks occur most often on Monday mornings. And on one particular Monday, the risk may be further elevated. Research shows a 24 percent jump in the number of heart attacks occurring the Monday after we "spring forward" for daylight saving time compared with other Mondays throughout the year.
The first hour after the onset of a heart attack is called the golden hour. Appropriate action within the first 60 minutes of a heart attack can reverse its effects.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of heart attack. A less common cause is a severe spasm, or sudden contraction, of a coronary artery that can stop blood flow to the heart muscle.
Age. The majority of heart attack deaths occur in patients ages 65 and older, but a man's risk begins to increase at 45 (for women, it starts at 55).
Agreeing, Dr Guru Prakash A, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad said that heart attacks can happen in sleep in around 10 per cent of patients, especially during early morning hours when catecholamine [a neurohormone] surge is high.
Although the number sounds scary, it must be understood that not everyone suffering from heart disease has a 100% mortality rate. If given early treatment, more than 90% of people can survive a heart attack - or myocardial infarction.
The primary reason is the prevalent sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Modern lifestyle ups the risk of heart attacks among the youth.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is the most common initial test and may be given within minutes of your arrival at the hospital. An EKG will check whether you may be having a heart attack. Based on the results of the EKG, your doctor may then order more tests, ask you about your medical history, and do a physical exam.
Signs of a heart attack include:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that comes on quickly and won't go away with rest. - Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
You may not even know you've had a silent heart attack until weeks or months after it happens. It's best to know what's normal for your body and get help when something doesn't feel right.
Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms – Female
Men may feel pain and numbness in the left arm or the side of the chest. In women, these symptoms may appear on the right side. Women may experience unexplained exhaustion, or feel drained, dizzy or nauseous. Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
A heart attack is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked. Warning signs that occur a month beforehand could be chest discomfort, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
A person who has a silent heart attack is more likely to experience subtle symptoms, such as: indigestion. feeling as though they have the flu. fatigue.
Is sudden cardiac death painful? Some people have chest pain during the initial seconds of sudden cardiac arrest. However, once you lose consciousness, you don't feel pain.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience: Chest discomfort.
Dr Sanjay Chugh, Associate Director, Cardiology, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram said that based on this study, heart attacks are more likely on Monday, essentially because of binging on alcohol and sumptuous meals, combined with partying, and stress of starting the week.
How long can a heart attack last? Heart attack symptoms typically persist for longer than a few minutes. They may go away and come back again, or they may occur intermittently over several hours . In most cases, the symptoms will begin slowly and cause mild pain or discomfort.
If the patient is having a heart attack, we give aspirin and clopidogrel, which both reduce the risk of a further clot forming. These drugs take some time to work so it's important to give them as early as possible. We also try to relieve pain, starting with nitrates in the form of a GTN spray under the tongue.