Summary
Heart attacks increase by 24% on the Monday after clocks are set forward for daylight saving time, according to studies. Losing an hour of sleep disrupts the body's natural clock, which can lead to more stress hormones and inflammation. People with existing heart conditions or who are older are at higher risk during this time.
Key Facts
- Heart attacks go up by 24% on the Monday after the springtime clock change.
- Losing sleep affects the body's internal clock, leading to stress and inflammation.
- Cortisol and adrenaline, which are stress hormones, increase with sleep loss.
- Blood clotting changes also occur, raising the risk of heart issues.
- Stroke risk goes up by 8% in the days after the time change.
- High-risk groups include older adults, people with heart disease, and those with high blood pressure.
- Adjusting sleep and meal times before the time change can help reduce risks.