Heart attack risk peaks in Winter: Adopt preventive measures

Ahmedabad

Winter season brings several health worries in its wake including ailments associated with cold, increase in asthma attacks or other pulmonary diseases. However, one of the less talked about effects of winters include a spike in the number of heart attacks.

The risk of heart attacks increases in winters as compared to warmer temperatures due to several factors. However, most people remain blissfully unaware of this correlation, putting them at the risk of avoidable health complications, even death.

“Though there is no clear reason yet understood for a rise in heart issues in winter, medical community ascribes a variety of reasons for it. One of them is hypothermia or a sudden drop in body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This occurs when the body suddenly loses its capacity to produce enough energy to keep the body warm. This happens due to extreme exposure to cold and can be disastrous for the heart. Another factor is that the body feels greater physical exertion in winters, and this can be harmful for the heart. It is also believed that cold season causes thickening of the arteries and vessels of the heart, putting it at greater risk of heart attack,” says Dr Kamal Sharma-Interventional Cardiologist-Columbia Asia Hospital.

“These factors can be controlled and prevented if people are aware and exercise the desired precautions. However, we witness very low levels of awareness among the people about the increased risk of winters to the heart,” adds Dr Kamal Sharma, Interventional Cardiologist, Columbia Asia Hospital.

As the temperatures drop and chilly winds start blowing, it becomes difficult to retain body heat. The loss of heat from body or a fall in body’s internal temperature is dangerous for people living with cardiovascular disease. People with coronary heart disease often suffer angina or chest pain when exposed to cold weather.

In fact, studies in several countries have shown that the number of heart attacks and even heart attack related deaths are higher in the colder season as compared to the summers.

It is therefore imperative to educate people about the need to exercise greater precautions for heart in the winter season.

Many people do not know the dangers of being outdoors in cold weather and do not take necessary precaution like wearing warm clothing to prevent the body heat from escaping.

Cholesterol levels fluctuate significantly with the change in the season, which may leave people with borderline high cholesterol with greater cardiovascular risk during the winter months. Apart from managing cholesterol levels, it is crucial that we keep small things in mind and do not stress the heart.

Things to Do and Avoid:

-Never step out unprotected. Wear layers of warm clothing to maintain heat. Always wear a head scarf to keep the head and ears covered. Make sure you wear warm socks and gloves to minimize chances of the body losing heat.

-Do not over indulge in alcohol, thinking that it will help you keep warm and cozy. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under, during the cold.

-Do not indulge in things that exhaust you. Over-exhaustion can be doubly harmful in winters. Give yourself a break and take frequent rest so as not to overstress your heart.

-People end up eating more than the normal quantity in winter, but eating a large meal at one go can put an extra load on your heart. Avoid!

-Never take chest discomfort lightly. Even if the pain is nominal, immediately approach a doctor and get yourself checked.

It is also important to know CPR to save lives, be it winter or summer. Unfortunately in India not many people know how to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation to a victim of cardiac arrest. It is important to spread awareness about the need for learning CPR

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