A new study presented at the 2023 British Cardiovascular Society conference reveals a higher incidence of serious heart attacks at the beginning of the workweek. Clinician scientists from RCSI and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust analyzed data from over 10,000 patients in Ireland and Northern Ireland who experienced the most severe type of heart attack, known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The research highlights a spike in STEMI cases on Mondays, with unexpectedly high rates also observed on Sundays.
The phenomenon, commonly referred to as “Blue Monday,” has yet to be fully explained, but previous studies have associated it with disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm. It is believed that the body’s sleep-wake cycle and hormonal fluctuations may play a role. Urgent assessment and treatment, typically involving emergency angioplasty to reopen blocked arteries, are necessary to minimize heart damage in STEMI cases.
Supervised by Professor Robert Byrne, Chair of Cardiovascular Research at RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and Director of Cardiology at the Mater Private Hospital and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Dublin, the study’s findings indicate a 13% higher risk of heart attacks on Mondays compared to other days of the week. This is the first time the phenomenon has been observed in an Irish setting, adding to existing evidence regarding the timing of serious heart attacks.
Dr. Jack Laffan, a cardiologist involved in the research, suggests a multifactorial cause for the Monday-heart attack correlation, with a potential circadian element playing a role. The study points to the early morning hours between 6 am and 10 am as the most likely time for cardiovascular events, coinciding with the rise of hormones such as cortisol during waking hours and stressful situations.
Further investigation is needed to uncover the precise triggers behind this phenomenon, enabling improved interventions and potentially saving more lives in the future. The study’s findings contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between the timing of heart attacks and human physiology.
Source: RCSI