Care for your heart in winter
Heart attacks and heart disease-related problems are more common in the morning hours during the winter. According to some studies (conducted in the real world), there may be a 3133% higher incidence of heart attacks in winter and every 1-degree Celsius drop in temperature came with a 0.49% increase in deaths from all causes.
Some may wonder that how winter or cold may affect our heart and cardiovascular system so adversely.
Cold temperatures can lead to blood vessel constriction, raising blood pressure levels. There is an imbalance in sympathetic hormones in the morning, which may increase both heart rate and blood pressure. Same influences can cause the platelets to become stickier, thereby increasing the tendency to form clots inside the arteries.
This places additional stress on the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Winter often keeps people indoors, leading to a decrease in physical activity. There is a tendency for overindulgence in rich, high-calorie foods that can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, and other cardiac risk factors. Another factor that affects the heart is low exposure to vitamin D. Several studies have shown the connection between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular health. Low intake of vitamin D has been linked to heart problems.
Respiratory infections, like the flu and common cold, are more prevalent during winter and this inflammation sometimes affects the heat muscle, its covering and exacerbate pre-existing heart conditions.
With winter already around us, I want to stress that there is no need to be feared and alarmed. There are plenty of things you can do to stay fit during this winter, such as -
Stay warm to protect yourself from cold weather
Get plenty of physical activity (as per your doctor’s recommendations). Evening walk would be preferred to morning walk.
Follow up with your doctor for a routine health checkup and review of ongoing medications.
Healthy eating habits – like plenty of fruits and vegetables, reduced salt and salty food consumption, avoid deep fried foods (bad fats), increase sea-fish intake (rich in omega 3 fatty acids), vitamin D supplements.
Stay away from smoke and alcohol as much as possible Pneumonia and influenza vaccination for those with compromised cardiovascular condition. Although winter season is summed up within two to three months in a year, it is the most awaiting season for most of us and we eagerly wait to embrace it. But, unfortunately the same is not true for those with heart disease and at risk of heart diseases.
Only if such persons follow the above measures, they also can enjoy the winter season no less than their surrounding people.