When we are asleep, our bodies get shut down to refresh or revivify it. But our minds never stop working. Images, sensations, feelings and ideas keep running through our brains consistently. At a certain stage of sleep called the REM (Rapid Eye Movement), the body is almost completely hibernated while brain activity is said to have peaked at a very high point. This is when we start dreaming. Although a dream can also occur at any stage in our sleep, dream researchers say dreams that occur out of the REM phase are far less vivid and memorable.

Sometimes we may be so carried away in our dream to the point that our bodies begin to sense and act as if what we are going through is real. And we wake up panting profusely or feeling our heart pump faster. This leads us to the question "can a nightmare trigger a heart attack?"

Dr Robert Aronson a sleep Medicine specialist answers a "Yes". Dr. Aronson says a nightmare has the potential to trigger a heart attack, especially in the morning hours. But he explains further that it is a very rare occurrence. Saying, "Healthy people's hearts are usually more than able to handle the stress of even the most frightening dream.”

In essence, a bad dream can induce a heart attack for someone who is already prone to one. Especially at the REM stage when a dream can feel so real like we are awake. But we can draw a line between the dream world and reality. You can actually determine in your sleep if you are dreaming or not.


DO A REALITY CHECK

1. Ask yourself the question, "am I dreaming?"


2. Check for distortions


3. Check for an item you always have on you


CAN YOU RECALL HOW IT ALL STARTED?

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