Ways to Protect Heart Health in Seasons

It is more important than ever to protect heart health these days when cold weather is starting to show itself. Winter is the season when heart attacks are most common. In the period when Covid was widespread, we saw that people at risk for cardiovascular occlusion applied to hospitals with heart attacks after this disease. Our heart wants to get more oxygen in cold weather. The richer the blood that feeds the heart is in oxygen, the more narrow the heart vessels, the more it will not cause a crisis and manage the heart. Since the amount of oxygen in the air decreases during the winter months, the body pumps less oxygenated blood to the heart. For this reason, the heart cannot receive the blood it needs during the winter months. Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. Barış Çaynak gave information about ways to protect heart health in winter…

PROTECT FROM INFLUENZA VIRUS, AVOID HAND CONTACT

The most common period of influenza (flu) is the winter months. influenza; cause colds, flu and fever. Like the Covid virus, which we are now very familiar with, it is transmitted by air and contact. Last year, flu cases were almost not seen, as we took care of the mask and distance rules. However, as we returned to our normal lives as a result of Covid vaccination, there was an increase in influenza cases as a result of unmasked contacts, especially indoors. As the body heats up, the heart begins to beat faster. This increases the oxygen demand of the heart. The cold also causes the body to lose fluids. Dehydration lowers blood pressure, reducing the amount of oxygen going to the heart. Especially when you have the flu, it is necessary to meet the need for vitamins by drinking plenty of fluids and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure to wash your hands frequently in crowded environments. Because diseases such as flu and cold spread very quickly with hand contact. When you are faced with symptoms such as fever, cough, malaise, it is definitely useful to consult a doctor. Especially those who have heart disease or risk of heart disease should pay attention to flu and cold. In recent years, the majority of heart attacks have been seen in people who have had Covid.

THE RISK OF HEART ATTACK INCREASE WHEN MEDICATION-FREE

Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. Barış Çaynak said, “When even a single dose of drugs such as heart, blood pressure or blood thinners are skipped, it can suddenly cause a heart attack. We now give patients 3-4 monthly reports so that they can obtain their medicines more easily. Medicines should be provided on time and should not be left to the last minute and neglected. It is useful not to leave it to the last day by thinking 'I will go to buy medicine after all the medicines are finished'. Because the risk of heart attack increases when you are without medication. It is also important to keep our immune system strong during the winter months. Vitamin C and D supplements, antioxidant vitamin E and Zinc support will support this issue.

LET YOUR TABLE LIGHT AT HOME MEETINGS

Our eating habits also change during the winter months. People are starting to consume more fatty and sugary foods. For this reason, the winter months are quite risky in terms of changing general habits. During the winter months, house meetings increase, crowded groups come together, meals are eaten. At such times, it is beneficial to prefer lighter meals on the table.

CONTINUE YOUR MOVEMENT IN WINTER

Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. said, “The range of motion narrows in the winter months”. Dr. Barış Çaynak said, “While walking outdoors is our favorite, heart-friendly cardio exercise, it may not be possible to do a lot of outdoor walking in the winter months. Indoors, walking outdoors is more beneficial than walking on a treadmill. When the weather gets cold, people have difficulty in doing sports outdoors. For this reason, we need to create a movement area for ourselves in closed areas. He warns that by going to the gym or doing sports at home, an active life should be continued during the winter months.

AVOID sudden movements

More heavy exercises are done in the winter months. This poses a risk to the heart. Events such as walking against a strong wind, pushing a car in the snow can cause a heart attack in the person. Especially if the person has a blockage in the heart vessels, not enough blood can go to the heart muscle. On top of that, when the heart works too much with heavy exercises, it invites a crisis. Especially those who have chest pain, genetic heart disease in their family, weight problems, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, and those who smoke; They should avoid heavy exercises and sudden movements in cold weather in winter.

WEAR IN LAYERS, NOT A SINGLE LAYER

Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. said, "Contact with cold air can cause a heart attack." Dr. Barış Çaynak said, “Exiting from a hot environment to cold air suddenly can cause heart spasms. When going from a warm environment to a cold environment, one should not come into contact with the cold without dressing in a way that will keep the chest warm. When going from an extremely hot environment to a cold environment, the body is exposed to a serious temperature change. We do not recommend heart patients to enter the sauna. Even if they go to the sauna, we do not want them to leave the sauna and enter the cold pool all of a sudden. When the body stays in heat for a long time, the heart vessels expand along with all the blood vessels. When the person suddenly goes cold from heat, there is a sudden spasm in the amount of blood going to the heart, and there is a serious decrease in the amount of blood. For this reason, it is necessary to avoid the hot-cold difference during the winter months. Rather than wearing a single layer of thick clothing such as a sweater, wearing layers of clothing will be more beneficial in terms of protecting the body," he said.