Cold weather brings with it heart ailments, other health problems

GURUGRAM : The mercury in the city on Thursday night touched 1.8 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest December night in several years. Friday’s temperature was 2.4 degrees Celsius – three degrees below the normal. Doctors in the city said it is time to take precautions as such a drop in temperature can negatively impact health, especially the heart.

According to cardiologists, the risk of cardiovascular problems increases in winters, particularly for those who already have a heart disease and are older than 65.

“Each time the temperature goes down drastically, the number of strokes induced by heart diseases, intracerebral haemorrhage, hypertension and heart failure goes up by about 10%. The risk is even higher among those with high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and those who are overweight,” said Dr DK Jhamb, cardiologist at Paras Hospital.

Cardiologists at other hospitals in the city too confirmed an increase of at least 15-20% in the number, and said that they have been seeing at least 10 patients complaining of chest pain over the past one week.

On an average warmer day,

they attend to about six to seven patients in a day.

Doctors said the cold weather can increase blood pressure and raise cholesterol levels, both of which are key risk factors for heart attacks in people who already have had a previous

attack or have a heart disorder or are older than 65. It can also lead to formation of blood clots.

“Prolonged exposure to cold puts excessive pressure on the heart as it pumps warm blood to all parts of the body. It also narrows the blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Cholesterol levels also tend to fluctuate significantly with the change in the season. As such, people with borderline high cholesterol are at a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases during the winter months,” said Dr Jhamb.