Monday blues may increase heart attack risk: Study reveals surprising link

While some people awaken to a fresh start of the week on Monday, others can’t help but despise the dreadful day ahead of the long week! And some even end up in the emergency room. Yes, you heard it right! As per a new study presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester, serious heart attacks are more likely to occur on Mondays. But is there a specific reason why heart attacks happen more on Mondays? Also, what is it about the start of the workweek that seems to put our hearts at greater risk? Let’s understand more about the intriguing relationship between Mondays and heart attacks.

So, before we understand the reason why the human heart succumbs to the most dreaded day of the week, let’s know more about the study.

The link between Monday and serious heart attacks risk

After examining over 10,000 patients, the doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland found that the most severe type of heart attack is called an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It is a heart condition that occurs when one or more coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart get blocked. If left untreated, it can have dire consequences.

As per the study, there was a steep increase in the number of people who suffered from STEMI heart attacks on Monday as compared to other days of the week. There was a 13 percent increase in the number of STEMI cases at the start of the working week. While the study found that people were more likely to have heart attacks on a Monday, that doesn’t mean that they are unlikely to get heart attacks on any other day of the week.

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Why does Monday increase the likelihood of getting a heart attack?

The study didn’t find a particular reason why people are more likely to get a heart attack. However, other studies have found a link between the body’s circadian rhythm and increased risk of heart attacks. Health Shots reached out to Dr D. K. Jhamb, Director and HOD, Interventional Cardiology, Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram, Haryana, to know if there is any truth to it.

It is not about Monday or any other day of the week, rather it’s about a sudden increase in the stress levels of an individual. After a weekend off, when you go back to your sitting jobs with stress on your mind, you become more likely to suffer a heart attack. Stress causes your cortisol and other hormone to increase, which in turn causes your blood pressure and sugar levels to spike, a risk factor for heart attack, says the expert.

The same may cause an increased demand for smoke in smokers, and lead to higher heart rates. The prolonged stress and a sudden increase in stress both are equally hazardous for our hearts, especially after a long weekend off (Monday Morning Blues). The extra stress combined with other lifestyle factors like smoking, lack of physical activity, and more can put extra pressure on your heart and lead to heart attack.

Work-life balance is a must!

Not just heart attack, constant stress and not having a work-life balance can put you at a risk of several diseases. Numerous studies have shed light on the importance of striking a harmonious balance between professional and personal life. Overworking or neglecting your physical or mental health will not only hamper your productivity but put your risk of heart disease.

The expert says there is a dire need to bring in work-life balance and manage stress levels. Apart from this, here are some things you can do to keep your overall health in check.

• Eat a healthy diet
• Get regular exercise
• Manage stress levels
• Follow a proper routine to avoid sudden changes
• Don’t ignore the triggers and work on them

While this might help most people, you should talk to your healthcare provider to know if you are at risk of getting a heart attack or not.