6 causes of heart attack when waking up

Waking up with sharp chest pain in the morning could be a sign of pericarditis, myocarditis, angina, or chest trauma.

Chest pain in the morning can be a sign of a heart attack. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a heart attack, also known as an acute myocardial infarction, occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood.

According to Dr. John Higgins of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, USA, the peak time for a heart attack is around 6:30 AM. Dr. Higgins explains that at this time, the body's biological systems release a surge of stress hormones, also known as plasminogen activator inhibitors, which makes the blood thicker and less able to flow to other organs, including the heart.

Besides chest pain, other common signs of a heart attack may include: feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint; pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back; pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders; shortness of breath...

Pericarditis

Severe chest pain, often appearing suddenly, is a common secondary symptom of pericarditis. This is a condition in which the pericardium (the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart) becomes swollen and irritated.

Lying down or taking deep breaths can worsen chest pain associated with pericarditis. Therefore, patients are more likely to feel the pain more intensely when lying in bed. The discomfort usually lessens when sitting up or bending forward.

Other symptoms of pericarditis may include: pain radiating to the left shoulder and neck; cough; fatigue or weakness; swollen legs; mild fever; rapid heartbeat; shortness of breath when lying down; pain when swallowing...

Myocarditis

Myocarditis can be a cause of chest pain in the morning. Inflammation of the heart muscle is often caused by a viral infection. Other common symptoms of myocarditis include: sharp or stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, and a feeling of not wanting to get out of bed in the morning...

Chest pain

Angina is chest pain caused by insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle due to coronary artery disease (narrowing of the heart arteries). Narrowed coronary arteries prevent the extra blood flow needed to deliver the necessary oxygen to the heart. This leads to chest pain. Symptoms worsen in the morning because the circadian rhythm increases stress hormones, causing the heart to pump blood harder and exacerbating angina.

In addition to chest pain, symptoms of angina may include: pain in the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back; dizziness; fatigue; nausea; shortness of breath; sweating...

Certain heart and lung conditions can cause heart attacks upon waking. (Image: Freepik) — Certain heart and lung conditions can cause heart attacks upon waking. (Image: *Freepik)*

Chest injury

Injuries or muscle strains can cause chest pain in the morning. Chest pain due to musculoskeletal injuries is often intense and localized. Inflammation from injuries such as a blow to the chest or lifting heavy objects and twisting is a typical cause of chest pain due to injury.

Musculoskeletal pain often worsens when pressure is applied to the area or when certain movements are performed. This is a way to differentiate between chest pain caused by muscle problems and chest pain related to heart disease.

Lung disease

Lung problems can also cause you to wake up with sharp chest pain. Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the blood vessels of the lungs) is the most common cause of lung-related chest pain and usually begins with a sudden, intense pain. In people with pulmonary embolism, the sharp pain worsens with inhalation or exhalation.

Other signs of pulmonary embolism may include: sudden shortness of breath; unexplained sharp pain in the arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw; coughing with or without blood in the sputum. In addition, patients may experience pale skin; irregular heartbeat; excessive sweating; wheezing; anxiety, dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness...

Panic attack

Sometimes morning chest pain can be caused by a psychological rather than a physical trauma. Intense fear or anxiety often has symptoms similar to a heart attack. During a panic attack, a person may experience chest pain leading to shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat.

In addition to the three symptoms above, other signs of a panic attack may include: extreme anxiety, loss of control, sweating, trembling, chills, nausea, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting...

If the cause of chest pain is a medical condition such as a heart attack, myocardial infarction, or myocarditis, the patient should see a doctor as soon as possible. Patients with pericarditis should avoid high-intensity exercise during treatment. Instead, they can do low-intensity exercises such as walking, cycling, and yoga.

People experiencing chest pain due to psychological reasons can consult a psychologist. Relaxation through meditation, deep breathing, and regular exercise can also help reduce stress and anxiety.

Bao Bao (According to Livestrong )

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