Winter- Cold weather exposure can increase the risk of cardiac responses, including heart attacks. This is because blood vessels respond to low temperatures by constricting, which increases blood pressure and reduces circulation, putting strain on the heart.
The blog emphasizes the expertise and guidance of Dr. Kartik Bhosale, renowned as the best cardiologist in Pune. Dr. Bhosale’s extensive knowledge and experience in cardiovascular care make him a trusted ally in the journey to safeguard heart health, especially during the winter season.
Let See…
What are the changes occur in body during Winter Season? ( Dr Kartik Bhosale )
During colder weather, the heart needs to work harder to keep a person warm. As such, cold weather can affect the heart and cause:
- A higher heart rate
- An increase in blood pressure
- A higher oxygen demand
- The blood to thicken, which can lead to blood clotting
- All these factors put further strain on the heart
What diseases are more common in Winter Season? (Anu Mahajan)
- Upper Respiratory- Common cold · Flu (Influenza) · Sore Throat · Ear infection · Sinusitis ·
- Lower Respiratory- Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia
- Joint pains
- Seasonal Depression
Cardiovascular diseases in Winter: ( Dr Kartik Bhosale )
- Hypertension,
- Heart failure,
- Angina pectoris, Heart attack
- Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism,
- Aortic dissection and rupture,
- Stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage,
- Sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrythmia and
- Atrial fibrillation.
How does the risk of Heart attack increases in winter season? (Dr Kartik Bhosale)
- Lack of regular exercise because of Indoor stay and cold
- high alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Consuming a diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
Source suggests that smoking status and alcohol consumption were the risk factors Most likely to trigger a heart attack in low temperatures. This is because they directly influence vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure as a result.
Signs of heart attack to know by everyone: (Dr Kartik Bhosale)
It is important to be able to recognize the signs of a heart attack. If a person experiences one, the sooner they get help, the more likely they are to recover.
- Chest heaviness, tightness, Squeezing
- Uneasiness
- Sweating
- Breathing discomfort
How winter can affect established Heart disease Patient? (Dr Kartik Bhosale )
Patient with previous heart attack may experience a worsening in their symptoms during the winter months, or find that they are less able to be physically active when it’s cold. Patient with Heart Failure like to feel more breathless during winter also failure can be precipitated by chest infections
What extra precautions are needed to take by the patient with Heart Failure (Dr Kartik Bhosale )
- Avoid going Outdoor in extreme cold
- Timely intake of medicine
- Restrict fluid intake
- Guided exercise
- Cardiologist visit to titrate failure medicine
- Vaccination
What Precautions are needed to prevent Heart Diseases? (Anu Mahajan)
To minimize the effect of low temperatures on the heart, individuals should try to reduce the duration and intensity of their exposure to cold weather.
- Clothing- wearing plenty of layers of clothing and a warm hat to maintain body temperature. staying out of the wind and avoiding damp areas
- Alcohol- avoiding or limiting consuming alcoholic beverages when spending time in cold conditions, as they can create a false sense of being warm
- Diet- Consuming hot meals and warm drinks are a suitable way of warming up when cold.
- Exercise- Additionally, it is important to stay active and participate in exercise indoors when it is cold outside. This is because regular exercise can help delay or prevent cardiovascular diseases from developing.
- Breaks- taking regular breaks from physical activity and avoiding overworking the body going indoors regularly to warm up if spending long periods outdoors
- Vaccination- Pneumococcal and flu vaccines are suitable prevention measures, as they can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications.
- Other- more regular, preventive measures include regularly washing hands, avoiding touching the face, and avoiding visiting busy areas.
If a person acquires an infection, they should rest until they have completely recovered before spending time in cold conditions.
How does the BP increases during Winter Season and what precautions need to be taken?
As discussed earlier all the risk factors cause increase in BP and cold itself direct constricts blood vessels leading to increase in BP. One need to frequently check BP and if required visit the cardiologist and up-titrate BP medicines.
Message:
- Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption or Smoking.
- Stay Warm, Especially If You Have Heart Problems.
- Don’t Skip Exercise. Bring it Indoors.
- Get Vaccinated.
- Know the warning signs
- Go for Regular Health Checkups.