Heart disease remains the UK's single biggest killer, claiming a life every three minutes. With around 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks annually—one every five minutes—medical experts are urging the public to understand the hidden risks. Now, a doctor with a significant online following has pinpointed a surprising morning behaviour as a major culprit behind the vast majority of these cardiac events.
The Silent Morning Threat You Might Be Ignoring
According to Dr Sana Sadoxai, a medical professional with over 42,000 TikTok followers, 90 per cent of heart attacks can be traced back to a specific morning habit. Crucially, she states this primary risk factor is not related to food, smoking, or even stress. Instead, the danger lies in inactivity immediately after waking.
"The real danger starts the moment you wake up and stay still," Dr Sadoxai explains. She describes a typical routine where people move from bed to checking their phone, then to sitting, before rushing out the door. This pattern, she warns, keeps the body in a "low-movement, high-inflammation state."
This habitual stillness secretly accelerates a host of metabolic problems, including insulin resistance, the accumulation of dangerous belly fat, high blood pressure, and silent inflammation. All these factors dramatically increase the risk of early heart attacks, particularly for individuals who are overweight or obese.
A Lifesaving Five-Minute Change
The solution, however, is remarkably simple and requires minimal time. Dr Sadoxai advocates for just five to seven minutes of dedicated morning movement. This could involve brisk walking on the spot, gentle stretching, or focused breathing exercises.
This short burst of activity delivers powerful protective benefits by boosting circulation, activating the metabolism, and helping to stabilise blood sugar levels. "Your weight, your metabolism, and your heart are deeply connected," she emphasises. "Ignoring this morning habit is a silent threat. Changing it is lifesaving."
The doctor also highlights key warning signs that should not be ignored, including obesity, stubborn belly fat, breathlessness, diabetes, and persistent fatigue. She describes these as early metabolic red flags that precede serious cardiac risk.
Understanding Heart Attacks and NHS Guidance
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. The NHS underscores the severity of the condition, which leads to those 100,000 UK hospital admissions each year.
While chest pain—often described as pressure, tightness, or squeezing—is the most common symptom, the NHS lists other critical signs to watch for:
- Pain radiating to the arms (often the left), jaw, neck, back, or stomach.
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
- Experiencing sudden sweating or shortness of breath.
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting.
- An overwhelming sense of anxiety, similar to a panic attack.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. While waiting, giving a 300mg aspirin tablet (if the person is not allergic) can help thin the blood and improve flow. Post-attack treatment may involve clot-busting medication or surgery.
To reduce long-term risk, the NHS advises quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a low-fat, high-fibre diet rich in whole grains and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Adults are also recommended to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.
Dr Sadoxai's advice adds a crucial, proactive layer to this guidance, suggesting that how we start our day could be a fundamental key to protecting our heart health for years to come.
