Cold threat to heart patients and elderly
ELDERLY and vulnerable people were yesterday warned to take precautions as an Arctic blast is set to bring snow to much of Britain.
In 2014/ 15, there were 9,900 excess winter deaths from heart attacks, the highest number for six years.
The British Heart Foundation fears that heart patients and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to severe cold weather.
Low temperatures can cause changes to the blood that increase the risk of clots and lead to heart attacks and stroke.
The charity says that an extra 600 people die each week from heart disease and strokes between December and March across England and Wales.
Nearly 3,000 people die every week from cardiovascular disease during the same months – 23 per cent more than the rest of the year, the BHF said.
The cold can increase heart rate and blood pressure. The heart also has to work harder to keep the body warm.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the charity, said: “The figures show there is a clear pattern of a higher number of deaths from cardiovascular disease during this time of year.
“That’s why it is particularly important that people living with heart conditions are prepared and keep warm during the winter.”
Wintry conditions could reach the Midlands, North- east England and north of London by today thanks to a blast of cold air from the Arctic, the Met Office said. Forecaster Mark Wilson said that, after a crisp Tuesday, there was “definitely some risk of snow” today. He added: “People should wrap up warm. There is a potential that central parts of the UK could see some snow at lower levels.
Some sleety wet snow could hit East Anglia, the East and West Midlands and Yorkshire, with temperatures of about 2- 4C ( 3639F). In parts of Scotland, however, temperatures could climb to 6- 7C ( 43- 45F).
Mr Wilson warned there could be freezing temperatures if it snows and “there is obviously a risk of ice as well”.
He added that conditions would become much milder by Saturday. A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for western Scotland at the weekend.