- The level of a specific protein in the blood peaks in the early morning
- This protein – PAI-1 – slows the breakdown of blood clots
- So, when it is at its highest level, heart attacks and strokes are more likely
05:29 EST, 26 March 2014
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05:29 EST, 26 March 2014
The most common time to have a heart attack or a stroke is 6.30am.
Now scientists think they have found out why this is – and it is all down to the body clock.
Researchers discovered that levels of a protein in people’s blood that slows the breakdown of clots peaks at 6.30am.
People are most likely to have a heart attack or a stroke at 6.30am because of a peak in a protein in the blood
The team, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, and Oregon Health and Science University, looked into why the number of heart attacks and strokes peak in the morning.
They studied the protein levels in the bodies of 12 healthy adult volunteers for two weeks.
The participants were assessed while their daily routines were desynchronised from their natural body clocks.
The aim of this was to establish whether it is the natural body clock or the person’s activities that causes protein levels to fluctuate.
Researchers specifically studied changes in the body’s level of the protein Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which inhibits the breakdown of blood clots.
These are a major contributor to heart attack and some strokes.
The research, published in the journal Blood, found a strict rhythm in body’s level of PAI-1 with a peak at about 6.30am.
This protein slows the breakdown of blood clots meaning strokes and heart attacks are more likely
Study author Dr Frank Scheer, director of the Medical Chronobiology Programme at Brigham and
Women’s Hospital, said: ‘Our findings suggest that the circadian system,
or the internal body clock, contributes to the increased risk for
cardiovascular events in the morning.’
His
colleague and co-author, Dr Steven Shea, director of the Oregon
Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, added: ‘Our findings indicate
that the human circadian system causes a morning peak in circulating
levels of PAI-1, independent of any behavioural or environmental
influences.
‘Indeed, the circadian system determined to a large extent the PAI-1 rhythm observed during a regular sleep/wake cycle.
‘This morning peak in PAI-1 could help explain adverse cardiovascular events in vulnerable individuals.’
The researchers added that these studies established the circadian control of PAI-1 in healthy individuals and that future research is required to test whether this rhythm is amplified, blunted or shifted in vulnerable individuals, such as those with obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
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ShellySweety,
London, United Kingdom,
18 minutes ago
Heart attacks are a good way to die – quick and efficient. However, it is more traumatic for the families as they don’t see the death coming. Thank You x
jaffacakefuel,
London,
30 minutes ago
No times a good time
no2embish,
Huddersfield,
30 minutes ago
That’s exactly what it is… WORK
the way it goes,
yes, United Kingdom,
42 minutes ago
It wasn’t that long ago that I read it was 2.30am when they were most common. I don’t think anytime is a good time to have an heart attack.
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