Why does heart disease increase in cold weather? How to prevent it?

Cold weather is one of the causes of increased cardiovascular diseases in winter. Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, making the heart work harder to pump blood, which can cause high blood pressure...

Reduced physical activity and a tendency to consume unhealthy foods… can exacerbate the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. In addition, winter can cause respiratory infections such as influenza, which will put additional stress on the heart.

Sudden exposure to cold weather during activity can also stress the cardiovascular system, especially in people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Cold weather is one of the causes of increased heart disease in winter.

1. How does cold weather affect cardiovascular health?

- Cold weather causes blood vessels and arteries to constrict, thereby increasing blood pressure, reducing blood flow and reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the heart… which can lead to heart attacks.

- Winter can lead to hypothermia - a condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, which can damage the heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

- The heart has to work hard in winter to maintain normal body temperature, which becomes stressful for people with a history of heart disease.

- Emotional stress and lack of sunlight during winter can lead to seasonal affective disorder - SAD, a type of depression. This can increase the level of stress hormones in the body, further increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

2. People at high risk of heart attack in winter

Some individuals are more susceptible to heart attacks in the winter due to medical conditions or unhealthy lifestyle habits, including:

• People with a history of heart disease
• People who have had a heart attack in the past
• People with high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Smoking and drinking heavily
• People with sedentary lifestyles…

3. Measures to prevent heart attack in winter

Although winter increases your risk of heart attack, you can take precautions to reduce your risk:

- Avoid drinking too much alcohol and don't smoke: Drinking too much alcohol can dilate blood vessels, leading to heat loss, increasing the burden on the heart. Smoking constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure, exacerbating the effects of cold weather on the heart. Quitting smoking is essential for heart health.

- Dress warmly: Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict. Sudden exposure to cold weather can put stress on the heart and lead to angina or heart attack.

So, dress warmly before going out with layers of clothes, hats, gloves and scarves to avoid heat loss. Keeping the body warm helps reduce blood vessel constriction, reducing stress on the heart.

- Don't skip exercise : A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of related diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Keep exercising, even if outdoor activities are limited. Participate in home workouts, yoga or indoor walking to maintain cardiovascular health and regulate blood pressure.

- Regular health check-ups: Regular health check-ups, even if you have no medical history, such as blood tests to check cholesterol levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc., help detect potential heart problems early, allowing for timely treatment and prevention.

Drink enough water during the day to maintain healthy blood circulation, reduce and prevent cardiovascular disease.

In addition to these precautions, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet during winter such as:

- Eat a balanced diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Avoid eating too much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats which can increase cholesterol levels and put a strain on your heart.

- Stay hydrated: Dehydration is common in winter and can thicken your blood, increasing your risk of blood clots. Drink enough water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty, to maintain healthy blood circulation.

- Get enough rest: Try to sleep 7-8 hours every night to control stress hormone activity and maintain a healthy heart.

- Stress management: Try stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga or even deep breathing exercises to control and reduce stress and anxiety.

Winter can increase the risk of heart attack, especially for people with pre-existing heart conditions or unhealthy lifestyle habits. By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of winter-related heart complications and maintain optimal heart health.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/ly-do-benh-tim-tang-trong-mua-lanh-phong-ngua-nhu-the-nao-172241230074557386.htm