Heart Attack
Recent research has shown that there may be a connection between excessive yawning and heart attacks. It is believed that frequent or excessive yawning is closely linked to a vagus never, which runs from the bottom part of the brain down to the heart and stomach. In some cases, people yawn excessively due to bleeding around the heart.
A study of 1,000 heart attack patients found that those who reported yawning more than five times in 30 minutes were twice as likely to have a heart attack within the next month as those who didn’t yawn.
While the exact mechanism is still unknown, it is believed that the increased blood flow and oxygenation that occurs during a yawn may help to identify areas of the heart that are at risk for attack. As a result, physicians may start to use excessive yawning as a warning sign for potential heart problems. This is especially true when frequent or excessive yawning is coupled with other symptoms, including chest pain, upper body discomfort, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Despite this potential link, it is important to remember that yawning is a normal and healthy part of daily life.
