Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 2nd. Of course, we turn our clocks back one hour early Sunday morning, resulting in an extra hour of sleep and an extended weekend (with the exception of Arizona and Hawaii).
It is well documented that the number of reported heart attacks peaks on Mondays. Researchers believe this is due to an increase in blood pressure experienced on Mondays in particular, as workers face a return to work. Factors such as a weekend of boozing, playing couch potato and work-related stressors are very likely causes of an increase in blood pressure in some individuals at the beginning of the week.
However, Swedish researchers recently discovered the number of reported heart attacks is actually lower on the Monday following the end of Daylight Saving Time. They found the rate to be approximately 5 percent lower than a typical Monday. The researchers obviously believe the correlation is due to the extra hour of sleep we gain by 'falling back' one hour. Conversely, the rate was 5 percent higher on the Monday following the end of Standard Time, or when we turn the clocks ahead one hour in the spring.
With blood pressure being one important factor in the underwriting of term life insurance, applicants with hypertension may want to consider this information and avoid completing their paramed exams early on Mondays. At the very least, pay close attention to your sleep patterns in the days leading up to your exam.
Credits: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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