What Can Trigger a Heart Attack?

On msnbc.com I found an article about different things that can commonly trigger a heart attack. People deal with most of these occurrences everyday. From getting upset about a traffic jam to pigging out over the Holidays, people should be aware of what they are doing to their bodies, especially if they have had heart trouble in the past.

First thing in the morning: The risk of heart attack increases 40% in the morning, Harvard researchers estimate. 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. Protect yourself: 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 in the AM.

On Monday mornings especially: Twenty percent more heart attacks occur on this day, probably because people are stressed and depressed about returning to work. Protect yourself: 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.

At the podium
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. Protect yourself: To counter these effects, some of my patients take a betablocker before speaking, flying, or doing anything that makes them overly anxious.

After a high-fat, high-carb meal
Studies show these foods constrict blood vessels, making blood more prone to clot. Protect yourself: If you must indulge, keep your portion sizes reasonable. A daily aspirin will also help prevent blood "stickiness."

During a bowel movement
Straining increases pressure in the chest, slowing the return of blood to the heart. Protect yourself: Eat lots of fiber, stay hydrated, and avoid straining.

During vigorous exercise you're unprepared for
Having a heart attack while shoveling snow is a classic example of this. 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. Protect yourself: Regular exercise protects your heart. But increase your intensity level gradually.

These six activities are just everyday chores for most people. But if you have had problems with your heart in the past you should be aware of what could happen to your body just from shoveling snow off your sidewalk. A lot of people are uneducated about their families health history. If you are unsure you should ask about your relatives health conditions so you know if there is a greater chance that you could be a victim of a heart attack.