How Cold Weather Affects Your Heart Health

Winter is coming! However, do not fret! This is not to be taken as a bad omen (as discovered in one HBO medieval fantasy television series), but a reminder to buy warmer clothes and marshmallows to go with your hot chocolate! Winter months normally bring cooler temperatures, sometimes associated with ice and/or snow. While not a dangerous element to deal with for most people, it can be particular;y dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, potentially increasing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. Dr. Sangani, our lead cardiologist, has a few tips for those who enjoy the cool weather, but may have underlying heart conditions:

Dress warmly in layers
Stay active, but avoid overexertion while outdoors
Monitor your health
Recognize symptoms and act fast (if necessary)

Most people aren’t conditioned enough to endure physical stress in freezing temperatures. Individuals who enjoy getting active during the winter without certain precautions can possibly suffer from hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature falls below 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Research from the American Heart Association reveals that we shouldn’t just worry about cold temperatures; wind can be dangerous as it removes the layer of heated air from around your body. For example, a 30 mile-per-hour wind has a cooling effect equal to 15 degree Fahrenheit. To stay warm, as recommended by Dr. Sangani, you should not just dress “thick”, but in layers to form a protective insulation. Other areas like your head and ears should be protected as well; ears are susceptible to frostbite and heat can potentially be lost through your head.

Why should you take so many precautions against freezing weather? Other than goosebumps and tight skin, colder temperatures can negatively impact heart health by:

Causing blood vessels to constrict: Cold air can cause blood vessels to narrow in order to conserve heart. This constriction increases blood pressure, essentially making the heart work harder.
Increasing your heart strain: Your heart working harder due to constricted blood vessels make it more susceptible to strains, especially for those with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart failure.
Decreasing oxygen supply: (For people with coronary artery disease) Cold weather can confuse the body’s oxygen demand, leading to a reduced oxygen supply, making one susceptible to myocardial ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart).
Creating susceptibility to arrhythmias: Cold weather can make people (even healthier individuals) susceptible to cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Developing a higher risk of cardiovascular events: Research highlights how hospitalizations and deaths from heart attacks occurred mostly during colder months with the risk of heart failure increasing for existing patterns.

Winter is something that’s inevitable to come towards the end/beginning of the year, so it’s best to stay prepared to keep from getting prepared; this means having winter clothes ready for the most brutal of temperatures. You can stay active, but as mentioned before, there’s no reason to overexert yourself and to be mindful of your limits. Above all else, it’s important that you keep up with your heart health by scheduling regular check-ups with us at Dr. Sangani & Associates! In some cases, lingering heart conditions can occur without us knowing, so don’t hesitate! Click the link and schedule an appointment with us today–➡️https://bharatsanganimd.com/.

References

American Heart Association. (2024, January 11). Cold Weather and Cardiovascular Disease. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/cold-weather-and-cardiovascular-disease

Ikäheimo, T. M. (2017). Cardiovascular diseases, cold exposure and exercise. Temperature, 5(2), 123–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2017.1414014