Time change may increase heart attack risk, expert says

The changing of the clocks this weekend could represent a significant risk for individuals who require a prescription to buy Plavix to reduce their chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. One expert says that the number of cardiovascular events increases in the days following the start of daylight savings time.

"The Monday and Tuesday after moving the clocks ahead one hour in March is associated with a 10 percent increase in the risk of having a heart attack," said Martin Young, a professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. "Exactly why this happens is not known but there are several theories."

He said that sleep deprivation and a disruption of the circadian rhythm may account for the link between daylight savings time and heart attacks. Both these processes are associated with inflammation and stress responses, both of which may increase a person's heart attack risk.

There are ways individuals can deal with this problem. Young recommends getting up 30 minutes earlier than usual on the Saturday and Sunday during the weekend of daylight savings time. This may help the body gradually readjust to the time change.