Why does watching the ball easily cause myocardial infarction? "European Heart Journal": White blood cells rebelled

"I lost 0-3 again! I was so angry that I would have a heart attack!" This is not just an angry word, it is also a period of high incidence of myocardial infarction during a ball game. Recently, "European Heart Journal" published a study that pointed out that acute changes in mental stress can cause inflammatory white blood cells to accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions, causing plaques to become fragile and easy to fall off, which can cause a myocardial infarction.

According to Julia Hinterdobler, a cardiologist at the German Heart Center in Munich, Germany, mental stress is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. Data show that chronic mental stress from work or life can increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 40%-50%. On the other hand, acute mental stress caused by high stress is more common, and it is more likely to cause heart disease. After the Los Angeles earthquake in 1994, the incidence of sudden cardiac death increased by five times; during the 2006 World Cup, the German emergency cardiology department played significantly more in the German team than in other games, and the patients in the hospital showed that they had experienced anger and strong anxiety. .

Although there is a clear connection between stress and myocardial infarction, we have not yet understood the specific biological mechanisms of the two, and there is no drug that can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction caused by mental stress.

To this end, the researchers did two sets of stress tests. First, the researchers asked 35 fans to watch a fierce football match and assess the pressure 24 hours before and after the match. It was found that after the game, the subjects' white blood cells, especially inflammatory monocytes, declined rapidly under mental stress, and the number of lymphocytes decreased. In addition, their blood pressure did not change significantly, and their heart rate increased slightly.

The researchers also did a set of stress tests on mice. Three hours after the mice were subjected to the stress test, the level of white blood cells, especially inflammatory monocytes, in the body decreased significantly, which is consistent with human data. Further studies have shown that these inflammatory leukocytes quickly enter different tissues under the influence of pressure, especially arterial plaques. High levels of white blood cells can cause plaque instability and promote its rupture.

Hinterdobler analyzed that leukocyte transfer under acute stress is a biological instinct. During the hunting and gathering process of humans in ancient times, the highly stressful environment caused leukocytes to move rapidly to the lungs, heart, and skin, thereby enhancing cardiopulmonary function and increasing cardiac output. The crisis state is often accompanied by skin damage. At this time, the white blood cells that move in advance can initiate an immune response before the infection occurs, cope with the infection and promote cell regeneration.

However, people nowadays rarely face major security threats. Highly nervous emotions come from video images. They are mentally stressed but their muscles are not consumed by exercise. At this time, the white blood cells that moved into the plaque "rebelled". If it was a person who had atherosclerotic plaque, the white blood cells would become a "life killer" from the original defender.

In summary, acute mental stress exposure may promote the movement of white blood cells and cause arterial plaques to become unstable and rupture. Patients who already have atherosclerosis are more sensitive to pressure and should be detected early and prevented in time. This mechanism of leukocyte transfer can also be used as one of the therapeutic targets for the prevention of myocardial infarction. In addition, in ancient society, the movement of white blood cells was often accompanied by strenuous exercise. Modern people often participate in exercise, which also helps to alleviate the negative impact of stress on heart safety.