According to Dr. Niranjan Hiremath - a cardiovascular and homeostasis surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital (India), cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict to retain heat for the body.
This forces the heart to work harder, increasing blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events, especially in people who already have risk factors such as high cholesterol, prediabetes, lack of exercise or prolonged stress.
When winter is combined with air pollution
In many large urban areas, cold air is not the only threat.
Air pollution increases sharply in winter due to the phenomenon of heat invert, causing smoke, dust and polluted particles to remain near the ground.
When inhaled, these super fine dust particles can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation of blood vessels, making vessels vulnerable and increasing the risk of blood clots forming.
Cold air combined with pollution reduces the bodys oxygen supply, and makes the heart work harder to compensate, says Dr Hiremath.
Even young people, who claim to be healthy, can experience unusual symptoms such as fatigue, chest tightness or shortness of breath in winter.
Signs are often overlooked but extremely dangerous
Many people tend to consider winter symptoms such as fatigue, shoulder pain or mild chest tightness as due to the weather.
However, doctors warn that this could be an early sign of heart disease.
manifestations such as pain when walking, feeling heavy in the chest, shortness of breath or sudden fatigue need special attention.
Worryingly, more and more people aged 30-40 experience cardiovascular problems in winter.
The causes come from overwork, chronic stress, irregular sleep, dehydration and unhealthy living habits, which are factors that are even worse in cold weather.
What to do to prevent heart attacks in winter?
Experts emphasize that winter does not directly cause heart disease, but it does reveal and worsen potential problems.
To protect the cardiovascular system, each person needs to proactively adjust their lifestyle.
First of all, avoid sudden exposure to cold air, especially in the early morning and evening when the temperature is low and the pollution is high.
Exercise indoors should be a priority or choose warmer weather. Keeping the body warm, especially the chest, neck and head, helps limit sudden vasoconstriction.
In addition, drinking enough water in winter is something many people often forget, but it is very important to reduce blood thickness and the burden on the heart.
Reducing exposure to pollution by wearing masks and using air purifiers also brings clear benefits.
Most importantly, listen to your body. When unusual signs appear, see a doctor early to avoid unfortunate cardiovascular incidents in winter.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
