Preparing Heart Disease Patients for Cold Weather: Cold weather and patients with cardiovascular or heart diseases have a very toxic relation. The arrival of a cold environment pauses various heart diseases inside the patient’s body. Well, we cannot stop the nature and worst relationship between the winters and heart problems, but yes “We can Balance it.”
With the help of some remedies, practices, routine, balanced diet; we can prevent heart problems during cold weather as well. Beside taking care of yourself so much, also consider the medicinal procedures and treatments to keep your body fit and healthy.
For the doctor visit, we have here “Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao”, the best cardiologist in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He is experienced with almost 15+ years of experience with practice. You are taking the best decision, if getting treated by Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao.
Apart from the expert advice, also this blog is dedicated to share some best ways for the heart disease patients to deal with cold weather.
So let’s continue with this piece of important informational guidance, and stay healthier in winters as well.
When Your Heart Gets Affected in Winter Season?
There are studies conducted to figure out the connection between heart and cold weather. It has been determined that your heart will get affected and the risk factor will become noticeable when the temperature drops down below 12C (54F). This is not mandated to every heart patient that they will get into troublesome condition in this temperature, but it depends upon the home insulation as well as the residence area. However, the harmful effect of cold weather or winter spell starts after 2 weeks and afterwards affects an individual’s heart health.
What Happens With Your Blood Vessels During the Winter Season?
Our hearts and blood arteries are constantly reacting to our surroundings and what is going on inside the body in order to keep blood flowing and provide the oxygen and nutrients that different portions of the body require. When we are cold, our nervous system goes into action to maintain our core body temperature stable and our important organs functioning.
When you are chilly, blood vessels in your skin, fingers, and toes narrow, allowing less heat to escape. However, this narrowing (known as ‘vasoconstriction’) increases pressure in the rest of the circulation, requiring the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This is a typical response to the cold, but for persons with pre-existing cardiac conditions, the added strain can cause heart symptoms, particularly during activity.
When we exercise, our hearts beat faster and with more force, and the blood arteries that supply our muscles expand, allowing more blood to flow through. At the same time, blood vessels serving other parts of the body (such as the digestive system) shrink, allowing the working muscles to get greater blood flow.
People with angina may notice that their symptoms intensify during the winter months, or that they are less able to exercise when it is cold. At the same time, the blood itself can thicken and become stickier, increasing the likelihood of clot formation, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. So, if you have a cardiac condition, it’s critical to stay warm in winter. If you discover that cold weather makes you feel worse, remain in on the coldest days and exercise indoors.
Precautions to Follow to Reduce Heart Risks During Winters
We know the harsh impacts of cold weather on your heart. But these harmful effects can get settled via following some required measures. Here are some of the precautions which you can follow to deal with winter season and heart diseases:
- Dress in Layers
When you are going outside in the winter season, dress yourself according to the cold outside your home. The individual should dress themselves in layers to keep them protected from cold weather. The dressing will keep the body warm. In case you start sweating, remove a layer instead of stepping out without wearing anything.
- Take Water Breaks
When you do the exercises, it is advisable to take breaks frequently and keep the body hydrated. Dehydration can cause blood clotting inside the body, which makes it harder for the heart to pump appropriately.
- Special Care in Certain Heart Conditions
In case you are already suffering from any heart condition, better to get into a consultation with a doctor. This consultation will help knowing what to do, prescribed medications, and suggest the right things to make the body feel better and heart health stable.
- Limit your Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
The heart patients should specially take care and limit their caffeine and alcohol intake. They have to take care of it, because these two components result in increasing your blood pressure which can cause major heart problems.
- Quit Smoking
Tobacco in your body through smoking will build plaque in your system. Also this can result in increasing your blood pressure drastically, Therefore, it is advisable to quit smoking immediately for better heart health.
Conclusion
Hope you are aware of the heart health condition in the winter season. That is why, it is better to follow some precautions, take medications on time, consult with doctors on time, and more. Following the right practices will keep your fit and healthy.
In case you have certain questions regarding health, consult with Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao. He can suggest better and give you the best treatment according to the heart condition.