It’s March, and we still have significant cold and snow in the forecast in many parts of the country. Believe it or not, weather can have a real effect on your health and wellness — and specifically, there are significant risks to your heart health during the winter months. Research has shown that there are 53 percent more heart attacks in winter as compared to summer. In fact, for each 1.8-degree temperature drop in a single day, there are 200 more heart attacks reported.
According to another recent study from Canada, men may be at particularly high risk for a heart attack after a snowfall. In the study, researchers found that when compared with periods without any snow, men were 16 percent more likely to have a heart attack and 34 percent more likely to die from a heart attack after a storm dropped at least 8 inches of snow. Moreover, the duration of the snowstorm also seemed to infer a greater risk for heart attack in men. When snowfall continued for at least 24 hours, men were 8 percent more likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack and 12 percent more likely to die.
[See: 17 Ways Heart Health Varies in Women and Men.]
What does cold weather do to your cardiovascular system?
When it’s cold outside, our hearts must do extra work to keep us warm. Our blood vessels constrict, and our heart rate and blood pressure increases. All these factors put extra stress on the heart and cardiovascular system. In addition, in response to the stresses of cold weather, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals also raise blood pressure and heart rate and can contribute to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke by making our blood more likely to clot (specifically by making out platelets more sticky). When a blood clot forms in a coronary artery (which is a blood vessel that supplies the heart muscle) a heart attack occurs. Those who already have previously unknown mild heart disease may be a greatest risk for a cardiac event during the cold weather. As blood vessels constrict in cold weather, minor blockages can become more severe — for example, a 50 percent blockage may become 75 percent when working outside in the cold. Cold weather puts all of us at higher risk for cardiac events, but those with known disease and those who are over 65 are at the greatest risk.
[See: The 12 Best Heart-Healthy Diets.]
What can we do to keep our hearts safe in cold weather?
First, if you have known heart disease, you should avoid all strenuous activity when it’s cold outside. If you’re in otherwise good health and must work outside during the extreme weather, it’s important to take a few precautions:
1. Dress in layers. It’s important to maintain an adequate core body temperature. This will also help prevent inflammation and limit constriction of the blood vessels.
2. Never drink alcohol before going out in the cold. While a hot toddy seems like a good idea to stay warm, alcohol can actually inhibit your ability to maintain body heat and can also lead to impaired judgment.
3. Wear a warm hat. We lose body heat through the head more than any other location. It’s essential to limit these losses by covering your head when in the extreme cold.
4. Use the buddy system. If you must be outside in the cold, make sure to have a buddy with you. Just like with swimming, it’s important to look after one another. If you must be alone, be sure to have a charged cell phone with you.
5. Take frequent breaks, especially when working outside, like if you’re shoveling snow. This is important so you don’t overexert yourself. The extreme cold may affect your body in ways you don’t expect.
[See: The Facts on Heart Disease.]
A Word About Hypothermia: Be Aware of the Warning Signs
Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This occurs when your body can no longer produce enough heat to maintain your core temperature at a healthy level. Hypothermia can occur very quickly in extreme cold, particularly if it’s also wet and windy.
As hypothermia sets in, symptoms can be quite vague and include: confusion, lack of coordination, fatigue, slowed reaction time, sleepiness and shivering. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately, since it can result in death. As hypothermia begins, judgment may be impaired and a victim may not even realize he or she is in danger. If hypothermia is suspected, call 911 immediately. If possible, move inside, remove any wet clothes and wrap in warm blankets. Drink warm liquids (not alcohol), and eat high-energy foods until warm.
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The 12 Best Heart-Healthy Diets
March Snow: Be Alert to Heart-Health Danger originally appeared on usnews.com
