Spooky season is upon us, and while many people will choose the adrenaline rush a haunted house provides, the cardiology experts at Arkansas Heart Hospital warn that some might want to beware and read the caution sign before entering.
When presented with a scary situation like a haunted house or horror movie we experience a fight or flight response, which sends adrenaline rushing through our bodies. This is our body’s way of sending blood to the important areas — muscles, brain and eyes — that can help us escape a possibly dangerous situation. This rapid hormone rush can increase our heart rate to as high as the 180s and cause our blood pressure and respiratory rate to elevate.
Being scared stresses our hearts. And while most healthy adults can sustain this temporary reaction, those with a pre-existing heart condition or a defibrillator cannot. The anticipation of the ghouls and goblins lurking in the darkness could further weaken their heart muscle or cause them to pass out or worse, have a heart attack.
How do you know if your heart can handle a haunted house?
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Know your numbers. Calculate your dangerous heart rate threshold by taking the number 220 and subtracting your age.
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Keep an eye on it. When visiting a haunted house, wear a heart-monitoring device like a smartwatch to monitor your heart rate in real-time. If it’s getting too close to your threshold, take the nearest exit and rest.
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Consult your physician. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, talk to your doctor before participating in these frightening situations.
If your heart isn’t up for a trip to the haunted house, don’t be too disappointed. There’s still fun to be had this Halloween season. The hospital’s culinary team put together a few heart healthy snack recipes for Halloween. From banana popsicle ghosts and mummies to graveyard taco cups and more, these delicious snacks are equal parts spooky and satisfying.