Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a renowned cardiologist, recently highlighted a crucial health insight explaining why the early morning hours pose a heightened risk for heart attacks and cardiac arrests.
According to Dr. Bhojraj, mornings represent a “high-alert” window for the heart due to a natural surge in the body’s stress hormones, primarily cortisol. When you wake up, cortisol levels spike, blood platelets become stickier, and blood pressure rises sharply. This combination places significant stress on the cardiovascular system, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death, especially between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
What compounds this risk, Dr. Bhojraj points out, is the common habit of going from complete rest to sudden intense activity immediately after waking. For instance, drinking coffee on an empty stomach, skipping hydration and prescribed medications, and diving straight into work can all exacerbate stress on the heart during this vulnerable period.
He advises adopting a gentle and health-conscious morning routine to protect the heart. This includes hydrating immediately after waking, taking medications on time, consuming a protein-rich breakfast, and engaging in 10 to 15 minutes of light exercise before starting a busy day.
Dr. Bhojraj’s guidance underscores the importance of small but impactful lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and promote long-term heart health