Glove box driving rage.
“Traffic Jams Harm the Heart” By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
Study finds chances of heart attack triples in first hour after commuting. If I arrive late to a meeting, I usually find myself stressed and it takes me a while to unwind. The article in Health Day provides insight on traffic, commuting and heart health.
After a four-year analysis of nearly 1,500 heart attack cases, the authors came to the conclusion that making one’s way through traffic — whether as a driver, a rider of public transport, or even a bicyclist — seems to more than triple the chances for experiencing a heart attack in the first hour immediately following exposure.
The finding does not isolate which particular virtue of road congestion — stress, pollution, car exhaust or noise — might be the driving force behind the apparent cardiovascular threat.
I probably hate traffic more than the next person, I lived and survived three years in LA traffic, so I can do traffic with the best of them. Washington, DC traffic is approaching LA levels but only surrounding “rush hour.” Rush hour now means 2-3 hours surrounding the start and end of the business day.
One trick, I’ve used for a long time is loading up on entertainment: books on tape, music, good talk radio, satellite radio, etc. Sometimes I arrive stressing and thinking about a warm beach and retirement. Another strategy that also works well is leaving early, it seems if I know that I’m early and not rushing then I seem to relax no matter the situation. There is a “but” in the article regarding traffic and heart attacks.
“But,” noted Fonarow, ” I think it’s important to keep in perspective that although the relative risk for heart attack was high following traffic exposure, the absolute risk was actually very, very small. Meaning, that given the number of times individuals are exposed to traffic and do not have heart attacks, these findings should not alarm the average person, because in absolute terms, the risk that being exposed to traffic every day will provoke a heart attack is exceptionally low.”
This is good news. Take it easy and early, in the traffic jungle. In my opinion, maintaining a good level of fitness is a guard against stress and the rigors of urban and suburban life.
MikeZ_maybe I should walk to work?
Please consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program. Your physician is your very best resource.
