Certain days, weeks, and activities are tougher on your ticker.
1. First thing in the morning.
Did you know the risk of heart attack increases 40% in the morning?
Why? As you awaken, your body secretes adrenaline and other stress hormones, increasing blood pressure and a demand for oxygen. Your blood is also thicker and harder to pump because you’re partially dehydrated. All this taxes the heart.
Build some time into your wake schedule so you can hit the snooze button and wake up slowly. If you’re a morning exerciser, warm up thoroughly so as not to additionally stress the heart. And if you’re on a beta-blocker, take it before bed so the medication is at full strength when the morning greets you.
2. On Monday mornings especially
Did you know science has shown that there is a good reason to dread the first day of the work week?
Twenty percent more heart attacks occur on this day, probably because people are stressed and depressed about returning to work.
Relax on Sunday, but try not to sleep in. Getting up early on Monday after sleeping late Saturday and Sunday can raise blood pressure even more because your body is fatigued and its natural rhythms are out of whack. Try to maintain a regular sleep/wake schedule all week.
3. Surviving a food coma
Did you know a 5 course dinner can have an immediate impact on your heart health?
Studies show high-fat, high-carb meals constrict blood vessels, making blood more prone to clot.
If you must indulge, keep your portion sizes reasonable. A daily aspirin will also help prevent blood “stickiness.”
4. Avoid constipation
Did you know it may be the last place you'd want to run into heart trouble, but it can happen.
Straining increases pressure in the chest, slowing the return of blood to the heart.
Eat lots of fiber, stay hydrated, and avoid straining.
5. Do not attempt unusual vigorous exercise
Did you know a classic example of this would be having a heart attach while shoveling snow?
The heart attack occurs because the victim isn’t accustomed to that kind of effort and stress hormones skyrocket, causing blood pressure and heart rate to jump.
Regular exercise protects your heart. But increase your intensity level gradually.
6. Stage fright
From the heart’s perspective, public speaking can be similar to unaccustomed exercise.
Extreme nervousness raises blood pressure, heart rate, and adrenaline levels, all of which can make the presentation itself a secondary worry.
To counter these effects, some of my patients take a betablocker before speaking, flying, or doing anything that makes them overly anxious.
India Herbs - Ancient Remedies for Modern Times
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