One of the most crucial things to understand about the human body is how it responds to stress. Stress can be caused by anything, from a challenging job to a difficult relationship, and it can have a profound impact on our health.

One of the most alarming effects is the increased risk of heart attack or infarction that comes with stress, particularly during what researchers refer to as the “deadly two hours.” In this article, we’ll explore what we know about this phenomenon and what steps we can take to minimize our risk.

What is an Infarction?

Before we get into the details of the deadly two hours, let’s first review what an infarction is. An infarction is a type of heart attack that occurs when a blood clot or other obstruction blocks the flow of blood to a part of the heart.

This can cause tissue damage and potentially life-threatening complications. Infarctions can occur suddenly and without warning, but they are often the result of long-term damage to the heart caused by factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

The Deadly Two Hours Explained

So, what exactly is the deadly two hours? It’s a term that was coined by researchers in Sweden, who found that the risk of heart attack is highest in the two hours following a stressful event.

In fact, the risk is five times higher during this period than at other times of the day. This means that if you experience stress in the morning, you’re more likely to have a heart attack in the afternoon; if you experience stress in the afternoon, you’re more likely to have a heart attack in the evening.

The reasons behind this phenomenon are complex, but one major factor is the body’s reaction to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones put the body into a state of heightened alertness and prepare it for “fight or flight” mode. This can cause the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to constrict, which can increase the risk of blood clots and other dangerous conditions.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Of course, it’s impossible to eliminate stress from our lives entirely. However, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk during the deadly two hours and beyond.

One of the most important is to manage stress through techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. These activities can help to calm the body’s stress response and prevent the build-up of stress hormones.

In addition to stress management, there are other lifestyle factors that can reduce your risk of infarction.

These include maintaining a healthy diet that’s low in saturated fat and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; exercising regularly; and quitting smoking. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it’s also important to work with your doctor to manage these conditions and reduce your risk of heart attack.

Conclusion

The deadly two hours is a sobering reminder of the impact that stress can have on our health, particularly when it comes to heart attack or infarction.

By taking steps to manage stress, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and work with our healthcare providers to manage medical conditions, we can reduce our risk and live healthier, happier lives.