Contrary to popular belief your heart does not stop when you sneeze

Contrary to popular belief, your heart does not stop when you sneeze.

We have all heard the saying that your heart stops when you sneeze, but is there any truth to this popular belief? Contrary to what many may think, the answer is no. Your heart does not stop when you sneeze. This age-old misconception has been perpetuated for years, causing some people to hold their breath or even worry about the potential dangers of sneezing. Let’s dive into the science behind sneezing and debunk this myth once and for all.

Sneezing is a natural reflex that helps your body clear irritants from your nose. When something tickles the inside of your nose, a signal is sent to your brain that triggers a series of events. First, your diaphragm contracts, causing you to take a deep breath in. Next, your vocal cords close, and the muscles in your chest and abdomen tighten. Finally, the air in your lungs is forcefully expelled through your nose and mouth, resulting in a sneeze.

During this process, your heart continues to beat steadily. Sneezing does not interrupt the normal functioning of your cardiovascular system. In fact, even though the muscles in your chest and abdomen contract forcefully, the electrical impulses that control your heart’s rhythm remain unaffected. Your heart’s pumping action, which is vital for maintaining blood circulation, carries on uninterrupted throughout a sneeze.

While your heart may not stop, there are a few interesting things that happen in your body when you sneeze. For instance, when you sneeze, air is expelled from your body at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. This forceful expulsion of air can lead to the temporary disruption of your senses, causing your eyes to close involuntarily and potentially resulting in momentary dizziness.

It is important to note that although your heart does not stop during a sneeze, you may experience a brief change in your heart rate. This is due to a reflex called the “sneeze reflex.” When the irritation in your nose triggers a sneeze, it can also activate the vagus nerve, which is responsible for regulating heart rate. This can temporarily cause a dip in heart rate before it returns to its normal rhythm shortly after the sneeze.

In conclusion, the popular belief that your heart stops when you sneeze is nothing more than a myth. Sneezing is a natural bodily function that does not interfere with the steady beating of your heart. Although you may experience temporary changes in heart rate and other bodily sensations during a sneeze, these are all part of the normal sneezing process. So the next time you feel a sneeze coming on, you can breathe easy knowing that your heart will keep on ticking.

Source: Library of Congress - Everyday Mysteries