Kolkata: In a hot and humid country like India, everyone romanticizes winter and wait for it all year long but the dip in temperature brings not only comfort of wintry bliss but also several diseases along with it.
Heart attacks can occur during any season, but there is an increased risk for certain types of heart attacks during winter.
Falling temperature can increase the chance of heart attack due to rising blood pressure. Patients who already suffered from heart attack previously or had cholesterol problem and elderly patients above 60 years of age are more prone to heart attacks during winter.
Adding to the winter woes, respiratory infections are high during the cold season that further causes complications. Influenza can aggravate an existing heart condition putting a patient on higher risk. Hypothermia is not uncommon during winters.
Hypothermia strikes when a person’s core body temperature falls below 95° F. Some of the symptoms are body chills, blotchy skin, fingers and toes turning bluish and numbness or tingling sensation. It causes muscle stiffness, cramps, irregular breathing, slurred speech and in extreme cases it might lead to cardiac arrest.
Dr. Anjan Siotia, Consultant at CK Birla Hospitals – BMB, says, “Dropping temperature tends to constrict the blood vessels pushing the blood flow to speed up so that the body stays warm. This in turn increases the blood pressure which might lead to heart attack. People who have existing heart condition or other comorbidities will be at high risk. Making healthy choices in daily life, being physically active and going for regular check-ups go a long a way in living a heart healthy life. Also, it is important to keep a close watch on what you are eating and drinking during the festivities of winter months.” (UNI)