FATAL heart attacks are more common on a Monday, a study found.
Experts think a change to the body’s circadian sleep-wake cycle is the cause.
Getty – ContributorHeart attacks are more common on a Monday, a study shows[/caption]
Medics say further research into the phenomenon will help save lives in future.
Scientists studied data from more than 10,000 hospital patients across the island of Ireland over five years and calculated the heart attack odds for each day of the week.
They found a “strong correlation” between the start of the working week and the most serious type of heart attack.
Called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), they occur when a major coronary artery is totally blocked and kill 11 per cent of adults who suffer one within a month.
Researchers tallied the number of people admitted to hospital with heart attacks for each day of the week.
They refer to the link as “Blue Monday”, said Dr Jack Laffan, of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
He added: “The cause is likely multi-factorial. However, based on what we know from previous studies, it is reasonable to presume a circadian element.”
Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, of the British Heart Foundation, called for more research.
He said: “We now need to unpick what it is about certain days of the week that makes them more likely.
“Doing so could help doctors better understand this deadly condition and save more lives.”
Zombie test help for hearts
By Joe Davies
A BLOOD test checking for so-called “zombie cells” could increase the number of hearts available for transplants.
Currently, the hearts of over-65s are not considered due the likelihood of a poor outcome.
But experts suggest age may not be the best indicator of heart health.
Research shows people with heart disease carry more senescent cells — which are not dead but do not work properly.
And boffins think the presence of these zombie cells may tell them more about the heart than the age of the donor.
Dr Gavin Richardson, of Newcastle University, said: “The hope is we will be able to show that a number of these organs are suitable for transplant for people desperately waiting for a new heart.”