A doctor has warned that 90 per cent of heart attacks can be traced back to one morning habit – and it’s not related to food or stress. Here’s what you need to knowIan Craig Social Newsdesk Content Editor and Katy Hallam
04:58, 27 Dec 2025
(Image: Getty Images)
Every three minutes someone in the UK dies of heart disease. According to the British Heart Foundation, coronary heart disease is the single biggest killer of both men and women worldwide, and is responsible for 480 deaths in the UK every day, or more than 170,000 per year.
It is also the most common cause of heart attacks. One doctor has said 90 per cent of heart attacks can be traced back to one morning habit – and it’s not food or stress.
Dr Sana Sadoxai, who has more than 42,000 followers on TikTok, where she regularly shares medical guidance, recently posted a video explaining how your morning routine could be increasing your risk of suffering a heart attack. “The real danger starts the moment you wake up and stay still,” she said.
“Most people go from bed to phone, to sitting, to rushing out, keeping the body in a low-movement, high-inflammation state. This one habit secretly accelerates insulin resistance, belly fat accumulation, high blood pressure, silent inflammation, (and) metabolic dysfunction, all of which dramatically increase the risk of early heart attacks, especially if you are overweight or obese.
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“Just five to seven minutes of morning movement – brisk walking, stretching, breathing exercises – boosts circulation, activates metabolism, stabilises sugar levels, and protects your heart more than people realise.
“Your weight, your metabolism, and your heart are deeply connected, ignoring this morning habit is a silent threat. Changing it is lifesaving.”, reports the Mirror.
“If you’re struggling with obesity, stubborn belly fat, breathlessness, diabetes, or fatigue, these are early metabolic warning signs you should not ignore. Take control before it becomes a cardiac risk!!”.
Responding to the clip, one TikTok user commented: “Basically getting up and rushing to work is killing us.”
Another added: “I wake up, have a cup of tea, relax drinking it for 30 minutes, and then get ready for work. I think you give sound advice.”
According to the NHS, a heart attack, also termed a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood supply to the heart becomes blocked, typically by a blood clot. Across the UK, approximately 100,000 hospital admissions annually – averaging one every five minutes – result from heart attacks.
Chest pain remains the most prevalent heart attack symptom, encompassing sensations of pressure, heaviness, tightness, or squeezing, the NHS states, though additional warning signs include:.
Should someone experience a heart attack, it’s crucial to dial 999 straight away and request an ambulance, the NHS advises. Whilst awaiting the ambulance’s arrival, a 300mg aspirin tablet might provide short-term assistance – provided the individual isn’t allergic to the medication – as it aids in enhancing blood flow and thinning the blood.
Heart attack patients may receive medication to break down blood clots, or surgical intervention might prove necessary in certain instances. To lower the chances of experiencing a heart attack, consider kicking the smoking habit and shedding some pounds.
Adopting a diet low in fat and high in fibre, inclusive of wholegrains and a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, is also beneficial. The NHS further advises adults to engage in at least 150 minutes, or two hours and 30 minutes, of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week.