Winter Heart Health: 5 Ways to Guard Against Heart Attacks in Cold Weather and Smog
Venturing into the sunshine, doing light workouts, and eating a balanced diet can empower your body to withstand not just the bitter cold but also environmental pollution.
As severe winter engulfs North India and a dense smog shrouds various cities, it's vital to pay attention to your cardiovascular health. When the temperature dips below your body's tolerance, all its functions suffer. Due to constricted blood vessels, your heart has to work extra hard in cold weather to ensure proper circulation. Avoiding cold exposure during peak hours and dressing in layers can prevent heart problems in chilly conditions. Stepping into the sunlight for warmth, exercising lightly, and eating wholesome meals can equip your body to handle both the intense cold and air pollution. Apart from a healthy diet, staying hydrated with warm drinks like herbal tea or soup can boost heart function.
"The cold triggers various health complications like flu, cough, and heart diseases. The winter months put additional strain on our heart, as it works overtime to ensure efficient blood circulation owing to contracted blood vessels. The chilly season can lead to increased heart rate and cause the blood to thicken in some cases, heightening the risk of heart diseases like arrhythmias, angina, and sudden cardiac death. With one of our major organs suffering in winter, heart attack cases rise during this period, highlighting the importance of caring for our heart health, especially amid the cold wave gripping numerous regions of our country," says Dr. Nagendra Singh Chouhan, Senior Director of Interventional Cardiology at Medanta Hospital's Heart Institute in Gurugram.
5 Important Tips to Safeguard Your Heart During Extreme Cold. Dr. Chouhan shares 5 key tips to protect your heart amid a cold wave:
Effective heart health management involves identifying underlying conditions, which can significantly reduce risks linked to colder weather. Consistency in taking medication is paramount. Setting reminders, maintaining a medication schedule, and getting regular checkups can assist in building a steady health routine.
As the cold wave approaches, prioritize safeguarding yourself from the flu, since its prevalence peaks in winter. The flu can pose additional health risks, especially for seniors and those with pre-existing heart conditions. If you reside with susceptible people or work in high public interaction environments, get your flu shots. Guarding against the flu not only shields you from its direct impact but also minimizes potential complications for your heart health.
Staying warm can lessen the strain of winter on your cardiovascular system. Dress in layers, specifically moisture-wicking base layers followed by insulating materials like wool or fleece, ensuring optimal temperature control. Adequately covering extremities and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold further alleviates the burden on your heart, enabling efficient circulation.
Preserving a steady exercise program, even indoors, significantly betters heart and overall health. Incorporate activities like brisk walking, indoor jogging, or fitness classes to boost cardiovascular function. Additionally, integrating stretching or yoga builds flexibility and resilience, supporting general heart health despite cold weather challenges.
Nourish your heart with a balanced diet plentiful in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Limiting saturated fats, refined sugars, and excess salt ensures cholesterol and blood pressure stay in check. Simultaneously, prioritize hydration, opting for warm fluids like herbal tea or soup, to maintain optimal blood volume and heart function.
In summary, while cold waves present challenges to heart health, proactive measures and steady management strategies mitigate potential risks. Stay informed, take preventive action, and make cardiovascular health a priority to safeguard yourself against cold-induced threats this season.