Scientists have discovered the reason behind heart attacks caused by sudden shocks and overexertion – it is bacteria. In a person undergoing stress, emotional shock, or overexertion certain hormones are released. These hormones dissolve bacterial biofilms that cling to arteries. This in turn causes plaque deposits to breal open and enter the bloodstream. This causes the heart attack, which is a blockage of blood flow to the heart.
“Our hypothesis fitted with the observation that heart attack and stroke often occur following an event where elevated levels of catecholamine hormones are released into the blood and tissues, such as occurs during sudden emotional shock or stress, sudden exertion or over-exertion” said David Davies of Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, an author on the study, according to a University statement.
