Sneezing is a powerful reflex that cleanses the nose of bacteria and viruses, but the common notion that a sneeze can cause the heart to stop for a moment is actually a myth. When you sneeze, a significant amount of pressure builds within your chest as your lungs expel air forcefully at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. This sudden expulsion can momentarily change blood flow, which might make it seem like the heart skips a beat, but in reality, the heart does not actually stop.
The origin of saying "Bless you" after someone sneezes is rooted more in superstition and cultural tradition than in physiological fact. One of the oldest beliefs is that a sneeze could allow evil spirits to enter the body or that the soul could be inadvertently expelled from the body during a sneeze. Saying "Bless you" was thought to protect the sneezer from such spiritual threats. Historical accounts suggest that this practice became particularly popular during the reign of Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century, who would say the phrase amidst bubonic plague epidemics in hopes of warding off the fatal disease.
Interestingly, during a sneeze, the heart does experience a bit of re-routing. The pressure in the chest changes, the blood flow momentarily adjusts, and the heart's regular rhythm might be briefly interrupted, especially by the Valsalva maneuver, where breath is held tightly and pressure increases in the chest. This might cause the sensation of the heart "skipping a beat". However, the heart continuously pulses, governed by its own electrical system, regardless of the brief changes in circulation.
The phase of saying "Bless you" has endured through centuries and has become an almost reflexive politeness, much like the sneeze it follows. While the heart may not literally stop, the phrase itself conjures a small social ritual that acknowledges a minor plight and wishes the sneezer well. This saying thus serves as a charming reminder of how ancient practices, even those founded on misconception, can weave themselves into the fabric of modern social interactions.
