Heart attack triggers that may surprise you

Did you know that cold weather can cause a heart attack? Along with other triggers you might not know about.

Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep regularly can raise your risk of a heart attack. Researchers found that people who usually slept fewer than 6 hours a night were twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who slept 6 to 8.

Migraine headaches: People who get these are more likely to have a heart attack later in life than those who don’t.

And ones that include auras that start before the headache hits seem to have a stronger link to heart problems.

Cold weather: Being outside in the winter months can cause your arteries to narrow, making it harder for blood to reach your heart. On top of that, your heart has to work harder to keep your body warm. Limit heavy physical activity outside.

Air pollution: Heart attacks are more common when air pollution levels are high. People who breathe dirty air on a regular basis are more likely to have clogged arteries and heart disease. Sitting in traffic may be especially dangerous, because it can combine car fumes with anger or frustration.

A heavy meal: Think twice before going back for seconds or thirds, it may hurt more than your waistline. When you eat large amounts of food in one sitting, it leads to higher levels of the stress hormone nor-epinephrine in your body. That can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and it may trigger heart attacks in some people.

Strong emotions: Anger, grief, and stress are known triggers of heart problems, but joyful events can sometimes lead to a heart attack as well. It can be triggered by the kind of emotions that go along with a surprise birthday party, a wedding, or the birth of a grandchild.

Sudden or intense exertion: Getting in shape will protect your heart in the long run, but doing too much could be dangerous. About 6% of heart attacks are triggered by extreme physical effort.

A cold or the flu: When your immune system fights off a bug, it can cause inflammation that can damage your heart and arteries. In one study, people with respiratory infections were twice as likely to have a heart attack. Heart attack rates are also higher during flu outbreaks — another good reason to get your flu shot.

Asthma: Your chances of having a heart attack go up about 70% if you have this lung disease. Even if you use an inhaler to keep it under control, your risk is still higher than normal. Because of your asthma, you also may tend to ignore chest tightness, which can be an early sign of a heart attack.

Disasters: Studies have shown that heart attack rates go up after major disasters like earthquakes or terrorist attacks. And not just immediately following them, but even up to a few years later. You may not be able to avoid these kinds of situations, but you can do things to manage your stress afterward.

Spectator sports: Playing sports can possibly trigger a heart attack and watching them can, too. In 2006, heart attacks in Germany spiked during the national team’s World Cup football games.

Alcohol: Over time, alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, increase certain kinds of bad cholesterol, and lead to weight gain, all of which can hurt your heart.

Coffee: Caffeine makes your blood pressure go up for a short time, and that can trigger an attack, especially if you don’t drink it regularly. Overall, though, coffee seems to be good for your heart.

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