Heart attacks can be concerning during the winters. Know why
Heart attacks are one of the most common causes of death today, with many cases in their 20s, 30s and 40s. While there are many urgent risk factors that increase your risk of having a heart attack, as well as delaying your attention to symptoms, the seasonal changes can also ruin your heart.
Considered a favorite season by many, it is also the time when most heart attacks strike. Yes, not only respiratory disease and virus flow, heart disease too, can be a cause for concern during winters and sudden drop in temperatures. So while heart attacks and sudden ailments require urgent care, winters are also a time to be more careful than ever.
Why do heart attacks become common during winters?
While there is no exact cause for this to happen, many experts believe that one of the reasons an increase in heart attacks occurs is due to the physiology of our body and the impact of a drop in temperature on the heart. Several studies have suggested that during winters there is also an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular problems, arrhythmias, and disease.
During winters, the activation of the body’s sympathetic nervous system increases, which eventually constricts blood vessels, also known as “vasoconstriction.” body. Additionally, during the colder months, temperatures can make it difficult to maintain body heat and cause hypothermia, which can cause significant damage to blood vessels in the heart.
How do the risks affect heart patients?
During winters, winter chills can be quite difficult to deal with. When the temperature drops, the body ends up working doubly to regulate heat, which ends up straining the functioning of the heart. The risk can be quite high for someone who already has heart problems or has a history of heart attacks. During the winter season, the body’s need for oxygen also increases. With the vasoconstriction already in place, reduced amounts of oxygen reach the heart, posing imminent risk of a heart attack.
What other factors pose problems?
As winters roll in, there may be an indirect increase in factors that can contribute to the risk of a heart attack. Colder temperatures could mean people have trouble getting outside and being physically active, or they can postpone exercising, which is bad news for the heart. Consumption and eating habits can also change, and increased consumption of foods that raise cholesterol can have a serious impact on heart and blood health as well. Remember, stress levels and other worries can also increase overall risks.
Additionally, as smog and pollution levels rise, the levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air can also worsen inflammation and cause heart problems. Anecdotal evidence over the years has shown that pollution levels have been associated with a huge 69% increase in cardiovascular deaths, as well as an increase in death rates. All of these factors, along with genetic risks and a poor focus on health, can make heart attack risk during winters a serious concern.
How can you reduce your risk and stay safe?
Heart attacks can be a significant risk and require precarious care at any age. With a higher risk during winters and already high pollution levels, it’s all the more important to take the right approach, stay on track to stay healthy, and keep heart disease at bay. some expert-approved ways to keep your heart down.
Make sure you are dressed well: a change in the weather could increase your chances of getting sick quickly. If you are at risk, make sure you dress well and cover yourself in layers suitable for the weather. It is also a good way to solve seasonal problems caused by pollution levels. Stay physically active:
If cold temperatures make you afraid to go out, find other ways to exercise. Regular physical activity and exercise strengthen your immune system, help regulate body heat and stay in shape. Home workouts, friendly aerobic movements, yoga, and meditation also work wonders.
Reduce the risk of comorbidities
the risk of heart disease and myocardial infarction, external comorbidities and other risk factors including diabetes, blood pressure and other vascular problems should also be monitored. Left unchecked, it can complicate your case or make you more vulnerable to danger. Keep your eating habits under control:
Winters can increase appetite, and there may also be a tendency to have more fried and sugary foods, some of which can be high in cholesterol, sugar, and fat. Keep track of your eating habits, stay within limits, and look for healthier alternatives where possible. Also limit your consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Measure your risks and go for preventive screenings
To mitigate the risk of heart risks and prevent sudden heart attacks from worsening, it is essential that each individual undergo timely preventive screenings, assess family risks, risk factors, and act accordingly.
Do not delay care: A case of heart attack requires immediate and urgent care Identify warning signs and symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible, and do not delay any symptoms Any irritation, heaviness in the chest, sweating, pain in the chest shoulder, jaw pain, dizziness or nausea should not be taken lightly.
