Dreading returning to work on Monday could take more away from you than precious time off as a study has shown that this kind of stress can result in a fatal jump in blood pressure levels.

Before you begin to stress about the workload facing you when you walk through the door Monday morning you should first consider these sobering statistics: 20 percent more heart attacks occur on Mondays than on any other day and blood pressure readings are higher than at any other time of the week.

Heart disease is considered the number one cause of death in Britain sending nearly 300,000 people to the hospital with heart attacks each year. Even more startling, one out of every three of those people die before they even reach the hospital. One of the major factors contributing to the high rate of heart disease in the UK is high blood pressure.

More Than a Case of the Monday Blues

A study was conducted to see how blood pressure levels varied throughout the course of a week. Participants of the study consisted of 175 men and women who were fitted with a device that monitored their blood pressure readings around-the-clock.

After a week of wearing the blood pressure device researchers evaluated the devices to see how the blood pressure levels changed each day. The results revealed a peak in blood pressure levels in those who were getting ready to return to work on Monday morning. Volunteers, on the other hand, didn't display any increase in blood pressure. These findings reinforced the theory that changes in blood pressure levels were triggered by work-related stress.

Although it was theorized that this increase in blood pressure was a normal occurrence of the body's 24-hour rhythm for healthy people, researchers warned those already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that this increase could be just enough to trigger a heart attack.

One expert added that coming back to work after sleeping in on the weekend could disrupt the blood pressure levels causing them to escalate on early Monday mornings. Researchers stressed the importance of studying the possible influences behind blood pressure fluctuations and expressed a need for larger and better-controlled studies in the future.

BBC News January 31, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

I read an amusing item about what a British researcher called "the worst day of the year." His mathematical calculations -- based on foul weather, debt, fading Christmas memories, failed resolutions and a lack of motivation -- estimated we've passed our worst day: Jan. 24. Thought you might enjoy it knowing we have already passed that dreadful date. This study, however, touches on a more serious issue that deserves your attention. Not only are Mondays a day most people don't look forward to after enjoying time off work but they are now linked to an increase in blood pressure levels, which could lead to dangerous consequences such as heart attacks. Stress can play major havoc on your immune system and the best thing you can do for yourself is to find some healthy ways to cope with it. You can check out a past article I ran about some ways to address the stress from your work. You can also work to provide your body with the resources to compensate for the bioelectrical short-circuiting that can cause serious disruption in many of your body's important systems. I've found that energy psychology tools work extremely well for this. There are many effective ones out there but I regularly use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), in my practice and personal life. It is absolutely amazing how effective and powerful this simple tool can be. I find one of its most useful benefits to manifest goals in one's life. EFT is a form of psychological acupressure and it is based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for more than 5,000 years, but without the invasiveness of needles. If you find this interesting then please review your free online manual to learn how to use this effective tool. There's also no questioning the power of prayer. Large numbers of well- documented research trials have conclusively documented the benefits of prayer. Yes folks, the hard-core science that proves its healing power is very solid not to mention the fact that it's a positive way of handling stressful situations. Related Articles: Stress Can Be Very Costly How to Eliminate the Damaging Effects of Stress US Workers Too Stressed To Take Vacation Most Common Cause of Heart Attacks More Evidence That Stress is Major Factor for Infections Five Simple Strategies to Reduce Stress and Eliminate Exhaustion