The Importance of Protecting Heart Health During Winter Months
For many people, the cold winter months are just a time when illnesses like flu and colds spread. However, this period can also seriously affect heart health. Drops in air temperatures are one of the factors that increase the risk of heart attack. Cardiology Specialist Dr. Osman Uzman states that heart attack in the winter months is a dangerous condition that occurs as a result of sudden blockage of the heart vessels. Considering that approximately 300 thousand people have heart attacks in Turkey every year, the effects of cold weather on heart health become even more important.
The Relationship Between Cold Weather and Heart Health
Cold weather causes the heart vessels to constrict. This reduces blood flow to the heart and impairs oxygenation of the heart. While the body tries to maintain its temperature in cold weather, the heart exerts more effort. This increases the workload of the heart. Therefore, heart patients should be careful during the winter months. The negative effects of cold weather on heart health, especially increase the risk of heart attack.
Heart Attack Symptoms
The most common symptoms of heart attack in cold weather is chest pain. This pain is usually felt as a pressure or squeezing in the middle of the chest and can last 15-20 minutes. The pain can sometimes spread to the throat, jaw, arms or back. In addition, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating and palpitations can also be seen. If a person experiences chest pain during exertion and this pain goes away when they rest, they should definitely see a specialist.
Risk Groups and Cold Weather Effects
Individuals aged 45 and over and women aged 55 and over are at greater risk of heart attack. Cold weather can increase upper respiratory tract infections such as flu and colds, which can trigger heart attacks. Patients with heart failure are also at risk of flaring up in cold weather. Infections can cause inflammation of the pericardium and heart muscle, which can threaten heart health.
Ways to Protect Your Heart Health in Cold Weather
- Be Careful While Exercising: In cold weather, exercise should be avoided in the early morning and evening hours. Heart patients should take weather conditions into consideration, especially when going out.
- Dressing Properly: In cold weather, instead of thick clothing, 2-3 layers of medium-thickness clothing should be preferred to maintain body heat. The chest, head and neck areas should be well protected.
- Warm-up Exercises: It is recommended to do at least 10 minutes of warm-up exercises before exercising. Heavy meals should be avoided before and after exercise.
- Balanced diet: To protect heart health, a regular and balanced diet program should be implemented. Oily fish, milk, grains, vegetables and fruits containing vitamin C should be consumed.
- Avoid Stress: Stress is one of the factors that negatively affect heart health. Therefore, necessary measures should be taken to manage stress.
Effects of Alcohol and Smoking
It is extremely important to stay away from alcohol and cigarettes to protect your heart health. Avoiding cigarettes reduces the risk of infection, especially in cold weather. It also has positive effects on heart health. Stress management and adopting healthy habits are critical to preventing heart attacks.
Conclusion
Protecting your heart health during cold winter days is vital in addition to improving your quality of life. It is possible to support heart health with measures such as careful dressing, balanced nutrition, regular exercise and stress management. It should not be forgotten that every step taken to protect your heart health is the key to a healthy life.
