Is there a link between cold weather and the risk of heart attacks?

ArabiaWeather - According to a large-scale study of nearly 300,000 people, low temperatures, strong winds, and the short days that come with the winter weather can increase the risk of a heart attack.

By combining data collected from the Swedish Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology with the national registry of all patients admitted to any coronary care unit in Sweden due to a heart attack between 1998 and 2013, the researchers found that the number of myocardial infarction (MI) cases increased in days. In which the temperature has fallen below freezing point.

The results not only indicate that weather is independently associated with myocardial infarction, but the relationship may also differ with seasons.

This study confirms the results of previous research in which it was observed that daily variability and seasonal pattern are associated with increased cardiovascular events.

The risk of developing a myocardial infarction has been found to increase with:

• Low temperature.
• Low air pressure.
• Wind speed.
• Short periods of rays.

Low temperatures are the strongest

For every 7.4 ° C (about 13.5 ° F) plus freezing, the risk of a heart attack decreased by 2.8%.

Cold weather narrows blood vessels and arteries, which restricts blood flow and reduces oxygen delivery to your heart.

Cold weather does not seem to affect coronary vessel resistance in healthy people, but it can lead to constriction of blood vessels in people with coronary heart disease.

There are other factors that affect heart health during cold weather, such as respiratory infections and influenza, which are known risk factors for myocardial infarction.

Physical activity

It is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, one that will reduce a person's risk of developing heart disease and improve the quality of life more than just moving to a warmer climate.

Source: Cura