Reduce your risk of winter heart attacks

Reduce your risk of winter heart attacks

Cold weather means many things – wearing winter coats, dealing with snow and ice, trying to stay warm, and risking the possibility of a heart attack.  As temperatures fall, your risk of having a heart attack rises. Part of the reason for this is cold temperatures reduce the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.  In cold weather, your blood vessels and arteries narrow putting a strain on your heart.  This makes your heart have to work harder resulting in increasing the heart’s demand of even more oxygen-rich blood. This scenario sets you up for a greater chance of having a heart attack because of the vast difference between the higher demands for oxygen the heart needs compared to what it really is being supplied. 

Another factor to be aware of is when there is a restriction in the flow of blood to your heart, blood pressure increases.  A sudden increase in your blood pressure during cold weather can increase a potentially life-threatening heart problem such as a heart attack or stroke. 

Below are situations that can lead to serious heart issues during colder months and ways to minimize that threat:

·      Avoid overexertion

Winter weather has that tendency to make us overexert ourselves without realizing it.  Bitterly cold, brisk winter winds speed up our walking, heavy snowfalls forcing us to shovel our driveway or pushing a car out of a snow embankment, all cause us to exert ourselves more than usual.  But at a price – extra exertion increases the heart’s demand for oxygen. Anyone who happens to have a blockage in an artery to the heart will be putting themselves squarely in danger of having a heart attack or stroke.

Minimize the risk:  Slow down and be especially conscious of not overdoing it when outdoors during the winter, especially those who smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of heart disease. 

Anyone with known cardiovascular disease should find someone else to shovel snow for them.  Even if you are not aware of a heart problem, take it easy when shoveling heavy, wet snow which is particularly risky.

·      Too much exposure to cold temperatures

Stepping outdoors in to bitterly cold weather can cause your blood vessels to constrict reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Minimize the risk:  Always be properly attired for braving cold weather – bundle up wearing a warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.

·      Skipping medications

With winter weather comes snow and ice making it dicey to keep doctor’s visits or picking up prescription medications when needing to be filled.   If it is medication for keeping blood pressure under control, this can increase the risk of a heart attack. 

Minimize the risk:  The best solution is to keep an adequate supply of medication necessary for controlling any health conditions you have when the weather makes it inconvenient to run to the pharmacy.  Take note of how many pills are left in prescription medication bottles and avoid waiting until the last minute to have them refilled, especially if the weather is predicted to become worse.

·      Get a flu shot

Your immune system weakens in the winter.  For anyone already at risk for heart disease, a bout with the flu can cause dehydration making your heart beat faster.  Flu can also cause dehydration resulting in lowered blood pressure which further lowers the heart’s supply of oxygen. What this means is a greater chance of having a heart attack.

Minimize the risk:  Always get a flu shot well in advance of winter settling in.  Even after getting immunized, be sure to wash hands frequently with soap and water and avoid people who are sick.  Any signs of symptoms of the flu such as running a fever, cough, or body aches, call your doctor to see if they can prescribe an antiviral medication.  Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and eating more fruits, veggies, and soup.