But that's no longer the case, according to new research.
Our constant "on-the-go" lifestyles now mean that we're liable to be struck down any time, scientists claim.
When we wake up, our bodies produce certain hormones like cortisol which raise our blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels.
You need cortisol to get out of bed – let alone do anything else. But cortisol release also narrows the blood vessels and prompts our hearts to pump harder, and for a long time, that extra strain was said to be one reason why people experienced heart issues first thing in the morning.
But now, thanks to a shift in work patterns and constant pressures from technology (for example), the timing of our daily stressors may have changed.
Scientists the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA have been investigating when the current peak times for sudden cardiac arrests during the day are.
They studied data available from the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, collected from emergency medical reports between 2004 and 2014.
During that time, 1,535 adults suffered sudden cardiac arrests and died as a result.
Of those people, only 13.9 per cent died between midnight at 6am, and contrary to previous research, the study found no evidence that more SCAs happened on Mondays.
Symptoms of cardiac arrest
Most of the time, sudden cardiac arrest happens without any warning at all – it comes on so quickly.
In those cases, the victim won't be conscious, responsive or breathing (or at least, won't be breathing normally) – so you have to get them medical help ASAP.
But other symptoms of cardiac arrest can include:
- fatigue
- fainting
- dizziness
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- palpitations
- vomiting
Heart attacks, however, do come with a number of common signs, including:
- pressure, pain, or tightness in the chest or arms
- nausea
- cold sweat
- fatigue
- sudden dizziness
Lead author Dr Sumeet Chugh said that "while there are likely several reasons to explain why more cardiac arrests happen outside of previously identified peak times, stress is likely a major factor".
"We now live in a fast-paced, 'always on' era that causes increased psychosocial stress and possibly, an increase in the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest."
LIFE OR DEATH The 6 first aid steps YOU need to know to save a loved one suffering from a cardiac arrest
Because SCA tends to be fatal, he warned that we have to prevent it before it strikes – and that means that more research is needed to find out exactly what's causing so many people to drop dead.
He said: "Our next steps are to conclusively determine the underlying reasons behind this shift, then identify public health implications as a result."
Cardiac arrest is NOT the same as heart attack
Contrary to popular belief, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) isn't the same as a heart attack.
Cardiac arrest is…
…when the heart stops beating suddenly and you can die if you don't receive medical assistance within minutes. In fact, around 90 per cent of people who experience SCA out of hospital die – it's that serious.
According to the Britsh Heart Foundation and the Department of Health, SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the UK, accounting for an estimated 100,000 deaths a year.
Heart attack, on the other hand, is when…
…blood flow to the heart is partially blocked.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of heart attack, with one attack happening every three minutes in the UK.
The chances of developing CHD tend to be heightened by age, gender (men are more prone to it), smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.
In the meantime, you might want to do all you can to reduce your daily stress load.
Take your work emails off your phone if you can, try to maintain a fairly regular sleep schedule and carve out a little time for yourself every day.
It might not possible to turn yourself into an oasis of calm all the time but everyone has a spare half an hour that they can use to zone out in.
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