Heart Attack While Sleeping: How to Prevent It?

Nocturnal heart attacks can occur silently and cause death, especially in people over 40 years old, with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

A heart attack is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Heart attacks that occur at night often delay emergency care.

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The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit medical center in the US, said that about 25% of heart attacks occur while sleeping or early in the morning, when hormones and blood pressure fluctuate the most. The danger is that patients often do not recognize the symptoms of angina because they are in deep sleep, leading to delayed emergency treatment.

However, heart attacks during sleep are not something that cannot be prevented. Some scientific and easy-to-apply methods can help protect the heart while sleeping.

Evening and nighttime blood pressure control

Blood pressure that doesn't drop during sleep is an early warning sign of heart disease. Research published in the American Heart Association journal found that people whose blood pressure doesn't drop at night are twice as likely to have heart attacks and strokes as people with normal blood pressure.

Therefore, people with high blood pressure also need to monitor their blood pressure at night. In many cases, taking medication at night instead of in the morning helps control blood pressure at night better, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack. In addition, to stabilize blood pressure, patients also need to limit salt in dinner, avoid caffeine after 3 pm and sleep on time according to their biological rhythm.

Reduce stress before bedtime

Chronic stress and anxiety increase sympathetic nervous system activity, causing vasoconstriction and increased heart rate even during sleep. The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit medical center in the US, said chronic stress increases cortisol and adrenaline hormone levels, causing the heart to work overtime even at rest.

Therefore, patients should have a habit of relaxing before going to bed, such as meditating for 5-10 minutes, practicing deep breathing or writing a diary to release thoughts in the mind.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea reduces blood oxygen, increases blood pressure, and is a risk factor for heart attack while sleeping. According to the American Heart Association, up to 50% of heart patients have moderate or severe sleep apnea.

Symptoms include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, daytime fatigue, and frequent urination at night. Sleep apnea not only affects sleep but also causes the heart to work overtime at night. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor soon, according to Medical News Today .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dau-tim-trong-khi-ngu-lam-the-nao-de-ngan-ngua-185250629133719038.htm