Alarming morning sign of heart disease: What to watch for

How to recognize heart diseases in time

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Ukraine. They can remain silent for a long time, so it is essential to notice any alarming signs.

A study published in the journal Circulation Research explained that heart arrhythmias occur much more frequently immediately after awakening.

Arrhythmia is a disturbance of the heart rhythm.

It can cause:

• dizziness
• feeling like you are "losing consciousness"
• shortness of breath
• chest discomfort
• feeling tired

Arrhythmias can be caused by dangerous conditions such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or even a heart attack. However, they can also be associated with less serious causes such as viral illnesses, alcohol, caffeine, or medication use.

They can also "strike" at any moment and trigger life-threatening medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

What provokes arrhythmia

According to the study, these "potentially deadly" disruptions in heart rhythm are associated with a natural surge in the stress hormone cortisol, which peaks in the blood in the morning.

Studying mice, researchers at Imperial College London found that cortisol binds to a specific protein on the surface of heart cells.

The protein moves to another part of the cell, where it affects genes that control how easily heart cells transmit electrical signals that tell them to beat.

As gene activity changes, electrical impulses to the heart become less regular and more chaotic, leading to a disturbance in heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

Cortisol's circadian rhythm is affected by sleep, with cortisol levels rising a few minutes before a person wakes up.

"Ventricular arrhythmia can occur at any time and, if left untreated, can lead to loss of consciousness, sudden cardiac arrest, and death. It is very important that we continue to investigate the causes of these arrhythmias so that we can take steps to prevent them," said Professor James Leiper.

Other signs of cardiovascular disease include:

• chest pain
• weakness or numbness in the legs and/or arms
• shortness of breath
• feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
• fatigue
• swollen limbs

If you experience any symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

Also, read about what to eat to enrich your body with Omega-3, necessary for the heart.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.