The effect of cold weather on heart health

Arab Weather - Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, equivalent to 30% of the number of deaths annually. Many reasons and factors increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, or affect the work of the heart muscle, and among these factors are differences in weather and climate change. Where it has been proven that there is a relationship between the difference in weather and the higher incidence of symptoms in patients with cardiovascular disease during the winter compared to the summer. This link is based on a set of changes and factors that occur in the body and vary from season to season.

These factors include; Physical activity, possible infection, and air pollution. In addition to the effect of the different seasons on the level of different substances in the body, such as substances that cause blood clots, cholesterol, hormones and substances that cause blood vessels to dilate or contract.

The human body responds to the difference in temperature in different ways. The high temperature and the surrounding environment are more than the body temperature or lower than it makes the body make a set of changes to reduce heat gain or loss, as it is known that heat is transferred from one body to another in different ways, including loss Heat by evaporation, and its transfer from the hotter body to the least heat by transfer.

When the body is exposed to a low temperature less than 37 degrees Celsius, heat is transferred from the human body to the surrounding air, so wearing clothes reduces the body’s loss of heat, and the presence of air and wind increases the body’s heat loss, as the constant movement of air leads to change Air near the body - which takes part of the body's warmth - repeatedly causes the body to lose more heat. The body protects itself from significant heat loss and tries to maintain the internal heat stability of the body suitable for the organs to perform vital functions through two basic types of response:

Narrowing of blood vessels, especially in the extremities, this response leads to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing to the extremities and the skin in general. The flowing blood carries with it the warmth coming from the center of the body or the heart, so when exposed to cold weather a person notices the onset of cold hands and feet.
Increase energy production in the body, and the main center of energy production is the muscles, where the energy is increased through shivering and shivering, this involuntary movement of the muscles generates more energy for the body. But for the muscles to perform this function, they need a higher flow of oxygen, thus increasing the work of the heart muscle, and the increase in the effort it takes to provide the muscles with sufficient blood to produce energy and raise the body temperature.

The heart is one of the most important elements in the body that work together to maintain an adequate body temperature. The presence of a chronic heart problem or disease, of course, is directly affected by the change of weather and the change of the weather.

Cold weather and coronary artery disease

Maintaining an adequate body temperature in the winter season, and when exposed to cold weather, is a challenge for heart patients. Cold weather requires more effort from the heart muscle to provide a higher flow of blood to keep the body warm. People with coronary heart disease (English: Coronary Artery Disease) suffer from narrowing or blockage in one or more of the arteries supplying the heart muscle, which is called the coronary artery. The lack of blood flow to the heart muscle disrupts its work and causes chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms of angina and heart attack.

Exposure to any double effort in coronary artery patients can cause a heart attack again, so exposure to cold weather is a challenge for them, as the cold, the need for more effort to get warm, fast walking versus the movement of cold winds, and acceleration of breathing are all factors that require a double effort from the heart. Therefore, it has been found that the majority of cases of angina pectoris occur during the fall and winter seasons compared to a lower rate in the summer, and the rate of angina pectoris cases (in English: Angina Pectoris) that are admitted to the hospital increases significantly in the winter season, especially.

With regard to heart attack (in English: Acute Myocardial Infarction), it has also been proven that there is a relationship between its high incidence during the winter season, and the link increases more clearly when the patient is male, and especially old.

In some cases, coronary artery disease is associated with heart failure or weakness. Heart muscle weakness patients suffer from a sudden drop in heart muscle function during winter and cold weather, in addition to an increase in fluid accumulation in the lungs and the need to enter the hospital for follow-up and treatment.

It should also be mentioned in particular to the elderly and those with cardiovascular disease, as their suffering increases to keep their bodies warm during the winter, for many reasons, the most important of which is the increase in the effort required from the already diseased heart muscle to keep the body warm, and the lack of body fat, especially in the elderly with low weight. It increases their heat loss and reduces their body's ability to retain heat. Also, their lack of sensation of coldness in their limbs due to the presence of other chronic diseases such as diabetes (which causes sensation in the peripheral nerves such as the feet) makes them more likely to suffer from frostbite, cold sores, and others. Also, the presence of other diseases can worsen the problem, and reduce their ability to express their feelings of cold, so it is important to pay special attention to them.

Other factors associated with cold weather affect heart patients

In addition to the cold weather during the winter, the surrounding cold air and the winds that take from the warmth surrounding the body, the chance of catching an infection and being infected with it increases, especially seasonal influenza. Influenza in itself can be a critical condition for heart patients, as influenza causing high body temperature increases the effort on the heart muscle, and causes doubled general fatigue on the patient's body, which can cause an exacerbation of symptoms of heart failure and coronary heart disease.

Cold weather precautions for heart patients

• Exposure to cold weather is considered stressful for everyone in general, but this is associated with other problems for heart patients, so the following preventive measures can be taken to prevent exposure to heart problems during the winter:

• Avoid exposure to cold weather, try to warm the body well before exposure to cold, and try to reduce the time that a heart patient is outside during cold times.

• Avoid fatigue of the body, during the winter and when snow falls, trying to remove snow or just walking in the snow may be stressful for heart patients. This fatigue can be a trigger for a heart attack.
• Avoiding overheating, to wear a lot of clothes before performing any physical activity and high body temperature, can cause sudden expansion of blood vessels, and thus a sudden drop in blood pressure in patients with heart disease. So when you notice a little sweating during any activity, it is important to sit down to take a break and try to get back inside as soon as possible.
• Taking the flu vaccine to prevent catching the infection when it spreads, and protect the body from complications, especially in heart patients.
• Pay more attention and care to the elderly during the winter season, and put warm blankets around them, and frequently ask about their feeling of warmth and comfort during cold times. Also, attention should be paid to their feet, especially if they are unable to express their feelings or are unable to move.

Source: Cura