Stresses that trigger AMI

Tuesday October 11th, 2016

Getting angry or emotionally upset can trigger a heart attack - as can heavy physical exertion, according to a large international study published last night.

Anger and physical exertion together tripled the risk of a cardiovascular event, according to the study of more than 12,000 patients who had suffered their first ever heart attack.

Becoming angry or upset, on their own, doubled the risk of symptoms developing within the hour.

The findings were reported in the journal Circulation.

Researcher Dr Andrew Smyth, of the HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, Ireland, said: “Previous studies have explored these heart attack triggers; however, they had fewer participants or were completed in one country, and data are limited from many parts of the world.

“This is the first study to represent so many regions of the world, including the majority of the world’s major ethnic groups.”

The British Heart Foundation said anger and exertion were not the underlying causes of heart disease.

Maureen Talbot, from the foundation, said: "This research suggests that emotional upset and excessive physical exertion can be triggers for a heart attack. Whilst this is interesting these are not the underlying causes.

“Heart attacks are mainly caused by atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries.

“That’s why it’s important people know their heart attack risk and take steps to reduce their risk, by quitting smoking, keeping physically active and maintaining a healthy weight."

Physical Activity and Anger or Emotional Upset as Triggers of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The INTERHEART Study. Circulation 10 October 2016; doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.023142

Tags: Europe | Fitness | Heart Health | Mental Health | UK News

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