(Foreword: This is the continuation of our response to Lira of LMPI regarding her query on unexpected heart attack triggers.)
rDEAR Lira of LMPI,
Now, here are more unexpected heart attack triggers that would probably leave you astounded.
Waking up in the morning
Don’t you ever ask why heart attacks are more common in the morning? This is because your brain swamps your body with hormones to help you get up for another day. The problem here is, waking up will give more extra stress to your heart. Moreover, after a long sleep, you might get dehydrated too which will make your heart work harder as well. This is the reason why it would help to drink a glass of water before retiring and/or after waking up to prevent a heart attack.
Tragedies
Who would even want to be in a tragedy whether it is natural or manmade? As a matter of fact, studies have shown that the incidence of heart attack rises after major disasters. You can mention earthquakes, flash floods, hurricanes, or even terrorist attacks. Even an attempted homicide against you would even leave you in shock and would certainly hurt your heart. What about more if you would be able to experience some fears that would vanquish all the courage that you ever have. The problem is the effect of these on you would not just be there for a few days, but, it might remain with you for some time – or for some few years later. I remember when our store was burned when I was about 19 years old. I would still feel my heart rushing in fear whenever I would be able to hear a fire truck siren even after four to five years after that fateful day.
Of course, it would be impossible for you to avoid these circumstances. But, you can do things to deal with your stress after a horrifying incident. Be sure to get enough rest and exercise. If that fails, get to see a psychiatrist to help you out. Don’t keep on living in fear or it will practically eat you out alive.
Hoopsss…again, as much as I wanted to talk more tips and tricks of the trade to help you in your fight against these unexpected heart attack triggers, but, we are losing space this time so let me then continue this in my next issue. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o SunStar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)