Why Do More People Get Heart Attacks In Winter?
By Nishkak +2 more
Download PharmEasy App
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
By Nishkak +2 more
Table of Contents
Heart attacks are worrisome in their own right, but did you know that data shows heart attacks (and strokes) are more common in the winter? Several studies over the years have confirmed that this statistic is certainly not a fluke, which has led to further investigation.
Why more heart attacks in winter? What could be causing this phenomenon and is there any way you can lower your risk? The great thing is that since its discovery, many doctors and cardiology experts have put forth the potential causes for this rise. Let’s understand the issue and later look at what you can do to stay away from this health issue.
Before we get into the probable causes, first we need to understand what it means when we say that there are more heart attacks in the winter months. Let’s take an imaginary hospital as an example. If we make a list of all patients who come to this hospital during 1 year, for some reason we will see that during the colder months more people had heart attacks. According to some studies (conducted in the real world), there may be a 31-33% higher incidence of heart attacks in winter and every 1-degree Celsius drop in temperature came with a 0.49% increase in deaths from all causes.
Most heart attacks occur in the morning, a phenomenon that researchers have linked to circadian rhythm. In the morning hours, increasing the circadian-driven secretion of certain hormones, which may be a trigger for subsequent increases in oxygen demand and blood pressure, a pattern with the season is also known in the literature.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
With that out of the way, let’s delve into the reasons this may be happening.
The cold causes blood vessels to contract. This can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Angina, or chest pain due to coronary heart disease, can also worsen in winter when coronary arteries constrict in the cold so keeping yourself warm is very important.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
While the above reasons and mechanisms are universal to humans, it’s not that any one of them can cause a heart attack. Rather, each factor plays a part in successively increasing the risk but even all these things together may not be enough. It comes down to being at risk for a heart attack before the cold weather. People who are already at risk may find their bodies pushed to the limits during winter, which may potentially lead to a higher risk of a cardiac incident.
Most cardiologists suggest that older people, those who smoke or drink regularly and those who do not get any regular activity are most at risk. By limiting your exposure to colder temperatures and keeping up a regular amount of daily physical activity, these people may be able to lower their risk of a heart attack in winter.
Sudden chest pain, chest discomfort or fullness should not be confused with acidity or gas especially when the pain spreads to your left arm and if they are accompanied by sweating or breathing difficulty. Seeking urgent attention in such situations without any delay can be helpful to save a life.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
With winter coming around soon, we want to stress that the purpose of this post is not to cause fear and alarm. There are plenty of things you can do to stay fit-
If you are someone who is at risk, you may want to do blood pressure and blood sugar check-ups regularly and maintain them in a healthy range. Additionally, you can always speak with your doctor if you are worried about how to handle the upcoming season. Don’t forget that staying happy and stress-free is always recommended for good health.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Sources:
Comments