This is the worst day of the week when the likelihood of a heart attack is greatest

Serious heart attacks are more likely to occur on Mondays than other days of the week. At least this is the conclusion of a study written by the British The Independent .

The study found that the likelihood of a heart attack occurring on a Monday is 13% higher than expected. Doctors at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland analyzed data from 10,538 patients across the country.

These people were hospitalized between 2013 and 2018. Most of them had a serious type of heart attack, or as it is known myocardial infarction (STEMI). This happens when a major artery of the heart is blocked.

The researchers noticed an increase in these heart attacks earlier in the week, with the highest level on Monday.

The Independent writes that there were also higher-than-expected rates on Sunday, according to findings presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.

Scientists are unable to fully explain this phenomenon. Previous studies have suggested that heart attacks are more likely to occur on Mondays due to heart rhythm, sleep and wake cycles. According to a British foundation, only in the United Kingdom there are 30,000 hospitalizations as a result of myocardial infarctions.

This disease requires urgent evaluation and treatment to minimize damage to the heart. A procedure is usually performed to reopen the blocked coronary artery.

"We found a strong statistical association between the start of the work week and the incidence of STEMI attacks. This has been said before, but it remains a curiosity," said cardiologist Jack Laffan, who led the Royal College of Ireland study.