Daylight saving time(DST) begins March 8, 2015, and we all expect another hour of sunshine in Vancouver. As people set their clock forward an hour, the time change is not necessarily good for our health.
Daylight Saving Time Increased the Risk of Heart Attacks (Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP)
A research published in Open Heart online journal in 2014 shows that switching to DST increases that risk of a heart attack, especially on the coming Monday morning.
In fact, on Monday following a DST, the number of heart attacks increases 24 percent comparing with other Mondays throughout the year. In contrast, the Tuesday following the time switching to standard time in the fall was associated with 21 percent decrease in heart attacks.
Spring Forward: Heart Attacks More Numerous After Daylight Saving Time In The Spring ( Image Credit: Thinkstock.com）
In the study, researchers used the database from Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is a large insurance company, in Michigan from March 2010 to September 2013. They tracked the number of hospital admissions for heart attacks, and a total 42060 cases occurred during the study period. Researchers have found that an average of 32 patients has heart attacks on any Monday; however, on the Monday following by DST, there were an average of eight additional heart attacks. There is no significant change in the total number of heart attacks in the week after spring DST change.
The exact reason for the increasing of heart attacks in spring time switching is unknown, but sleep deprivation, the body’s circadian clock and immune responses can be possible considering reasons.
People who are vulnerable to heart attack, such as those who have a family history of heart attack or have high blood pressure, may be at higher risk after time changes. If you know you have heart trouble, take extra care on Monday and shouldn’t delay a trip to the emergency room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FWMraW2-ps
Suggestions given by Professor Martin Young from University of Alabama to lessen health issues on Monday after time changing:
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier on Saturday and Sunday than you need to in preparation for the early start on Monday
- Eat a decent-sized breakfast
- Go outside in the sunlight in the early morning
- Exercise in the mornings over the weekend
By Xindi Wang
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