Researchers have identified that people are more heart attack prone in January and December than in other months of the year. This phenomenon doesn't appear to be weather-related, and scientists are trying to learn why more people succumb to cardiac events during this time.
Studies show that more cardiovascular issues occur during the colder months. There are several theories why heart attacks are more common in winter. First and foremost, the main risk factor for a heart attack any time of year is biological.
Studies have shown that Americans can be up to 30% more likely to have a heart attack in the coldest winter months, compared to warmer months throughout the year. Even people with good overall health are at risk.
It is more dangerous to have a heart attack in the morning than at any other time of day, according to research. Patients who had an attack between 6am and noon suffered around 20% more damage to their hearts compared with other times.
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. Regardless of where we live, researchers have found, we are more susceptible to heart attacks in the winter months, even if it is 72 and sunny in California.
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
“Extreme, long-term endurance exercise puts equally extreme demands on the cardiovascular system,” says Dr. Singh. A study done on marathon runners found that even after finishing extreme running events, athletes' blood samples contain biomarkers associated with heart damage.
Climate change poses a significant risk to cardiovascular health. Exposure to poor air quality due to particle pollution or extreme heat can increase the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, particularly in people already at risk for these conditions.
Warning signs of a heart attack that can occur a month beforehand include chest discomfort, fatigue, and shortness of breath. A heart attack is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Others -- women more so than men -- will experience some atypical symptoms as well, which may include fatigue, a general sense of unease, vague discomfort, back or abdominal pain and declining stamina. Both types of symptoms can be experienced months before an actual heart attack occurs.
Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys. This means that you can be at greater risk if you have a heart condition. So it's particularly important to stay cool and hydrated.
High temperatures and high humidity can cause more blood flow to the skin. This causes the heart to beat faster while circulating twice as much blood per minute than on a normal day.
The cold weather takes away your body heat so your heart needs to work harder to keep you warm. Your blood vessels will narrow so your heart can focus on pumping blood to your brain and other major organs. Cold temperatures can cause: your heart rate to increase.
Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.
Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke by 35% percent and Type 2 diabetes by 40%. It's not just your heart and muscles that benefit from walking. Regular physical activity can help: reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body, beating around 70 times per minute, 100,000 times per day, and about 2.5 billion times in the average lifetime. Like any muscle, if you stress your heart and force it to work even harder than normal, your heart can become damaged.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the coronary arteries (the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood) become clogged with deposits of cholesterol.
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.
A heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart's arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack.
Drinking water keeps you hydrated, helps you maintain or lose weight, and keeps your body healthy from diseases. Did you also know that drinking water could prevent a heart attack? According to a cardiac specialist, drinking water at a certain time of the day can prevent a heart attack at night.
Myth 4 Heart attack victims should lie down, rather than sit up. One in 10 of us believes this is a good idea, but it can make it harder to breathe. A half-sitting position with their knees bent and head and shoulders supported is best.
Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
Water helps the heart pump blood more efficiently, as it may prevent strain on the heart, blood pressure, and heart rate. When a person's heart rate and blood pressure are lower, they're better able to de-stress and relax, which helps with falling asleep faster and staying asleep.
Statins reduce your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. They're one of the best-researched drugs, but also one of the most controversial.