2023-07-14 16:20:22
Title: Study Reveals Increase in Heart Attack Risk on Mondays, Dubbed “Blue Monday”
Subtitle: Researchers in Ireland identify a correlation between the start of the workweek and heart attacks
Date: [Insert Date]
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ireland, the risk of suffering a heart attack is significantly higher on Mondays compared to other days of the week. The study, published in BMJ Journals by the British Cardiovascular Society, sheds light on the phenomenon known as “Blue Monday.”
Heart attacks, along with ischemic heart diseases, are among the leading causes of death in Germany, accounting for over a third of the total deaths in 2021. The German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) reports that more than 300,000 people in Germany experience a heart attack each year. Unhealthy nutrition, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, stress, smoking, and lipid metabolism disorders are some of the factors that contribute to the risk of a heart attack.
The research group, led by Jack Laffan and Simon Walsh, investigated the connection between heart attacks, specifically the severe form called ST-stretching-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and the specific day of the week on which they occur. The study was conducted between January 2013 and March 2018 in Ireland, involving 10,528 patients from two primary heart disease treatment centers. On average, the patients included in the analysis were 53.2 years old.
The findings of the study revealed that the risk of a heart attack is highest on Mondays, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the average risk. The risk distribution for the remaining days of the week, in relation to the mean, is as follows: Tuesday (-5 percent), Wednesday (-5 percent), Thursday (-7 percent), Friday (-6 percent), Saturday (±0 percent), and Sunday (+9 percent). Surprisingly, the risk of suffering a heart attack is also elevated on Sundays compared to the other days of the week.
Although previous studies have hinted at an increased frequency of heart attacks on Mondays, the exact cause remains elusive. Dr. Jack Laffan, the lead researcher on the study, suggests that the correlation between the start of the workweek and heart attack incidence is peculiar. One possibility is the heightened stress experienced when returning to work after the weekend, leading to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol and consequently raising the risk of a heart attack.
Heart attacks continue to pose a significant threat to public health, both in Germany and globally. The findings of this study highlight the importance of understanding the potential triggers for heart attacks and implementing measures to mitigate the risks, particularly on Mondays when the likelihood is notably higher. Further research is needed to better comprehend the underlying mechanisms and develop strategies to prevent this “Blue Monday” phenomenon and reduce the incidence of heart attacks overall.]
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