British researchers say physical exertion and emotional stress can trigger heart attacks in people with a history of heart disease. A University College London team said triggers for heart attacks may be quite different from the factors that lead to development of coronary heart disease over the long term, such as cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, anxiety and depression. The team said their investigation found “physical exertion has an apparently paradoxic association with triggering” severe chest pain, heart attack or sudden death. Physically fit people enjoy a reduced risk of heart attacks, while inactive cardiac patients who suddenly engage in vigorous activity do so at their peril, the researchers said. The study appears in the current issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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