Heart attacks, strokes, and
cardiac arrests usually appear after cholesterol-rich plaque has suppurated for
decades in arteries nourishing the heart and brain. It is a TRIGGER that makes
one (a life-threatening event) happen at a particular time. When it comes to
heart attacks, many of us are aware of the causes most likely to trigger a
problem, which include obesity, inadequate physical exercise, high blood
pressure, stress and smoking. But new research is finding other, unexpected
triggers (less common factors) that can also put your heart at risk, ranging
from anger and
earthquakes to simply waking up in the morning. The ongoing search for triggers
is paving ways to prevent potentially life-threatening cardiovascular events.
Some triggers cause a sudden
rise in blood pressure, while some make the heart beat faster and harder. Some
might as well promote blood clot formation, constrict blood vessels, or cause
bursts of inflammation. Any of these changes can set off processes ending in
the sudden formation of a blood clot leading to a heart attack or ischemic
stroke, a tear in a blood vessel (causing a hemorrhagic stroke), or an abnormal
heart rhythm leading to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Outlining a few unexpected heart attack triggers:
Lack of sleep- Lack of
quality sleep on a regular basis can not only have you tired, but also raises
your risk of a heart attack. Doctors are still not sure about the reason behind
this, but they do know that inadequate sleep can increase your blood pressure
and lead to inflammation, which aren’t good for your heart.
Migraine Headaches-
Individuals at the receiving end of migraine headaches are more likely to have
a heart attack later in life than those who don’t.
Air Pollution- People
who breathe dirty air on a regular basis are more likely to have clogged
arteries and heart disease, thus increasing their risk for heart attacks. It is
just as dangerous to sit in traffic as it can combine car fumes with anger.
A Heavy Meal- Having
large, heavy meals, or going for second or third helpings may hurt more than
your waistline, may take its effect on your heart, since having large amounts
of food in one sitting leads to higher levels of the stress hormone
norepinephrine in your body that can raise your BP and heart rate, which, in
turn, might set off a heart attack.
Strong Emotions- It is not
only negative emotions like anger, grief and stress that can trigger heart
problems, but positive or joyful events, such as a surprise birthday party,
etc. can also sometimes lead to a heart attack.
Sudden or Intense Exertion-
There’s no denying that regular exercise strengthens your heart but doing too
much could pose a risk to your heart, since about 6 percent of heart attacks
are triggered by intense physical activity. It is good to stay active, but do
not overdo it when you’re angry or upset. Also, talk to your doctor before
starting any exercise regimen.
Waking Up In the Morning-
Heart attacks commonly occur in the morning, which is due to extra strain on
your heart as brain floods your body with hormones to help you wake up, and
also dehydration after long hours of sleep can make your heart work harder.
Disasters- Studies have shown a rise in
heart attack rates after disasters like earthquakes or terrorist attacks.
Avoiding such incidents might not be in your control, but what you can
definitely do is manage your stress after such a terrible event, like make sure
you get enough rest and exercise.
Other triggers include
1.
Coffee
2.
Alcohol
3.
Asthma
4.
A cold or
the flu
5.
Cold
weather
Undergo
CPR training at the AHA certified CPR Memphis in Tennessee and face cardiac
emergencies efficiently.
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