Cardiac Arrest Deaths In Winter: 5 Warning Signs Your Heart Is Damaged Completely

Cardiac arrest cases rise during winter. Know the 5 key warning signs that your heart may be severely damaged and learn how to protect yourself from sudden heart failure.

Winter may be cruel to the heart, more to individuals who are already dealing with heart related problems. Cold weather triggers constriction of blood vessels, thereby raising blood pressure and making the heart work harder. This may increase the cardiac arrest and heart attack. Knowing early warning signs help you to act fast and maybe at least save your life.

Why Cardiac Arrest Cases Rise in Winter?

The narrowing of blood vessels in winter is an attempt through which the body tries to stay warm. This exerts additional load on the heart and may decrease the supply of oxygen to heart muscles. The cold weather may also cause the occurrence of an elevated blood pressure and cholesterol accumulation in the arteries. Individuals who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or history of heart disease are more susceptible.

5 Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Frequent Chest Pain or Pressure

The chest pain may be intermittent or may resemble heaviness, tightness, or burning and therefore should not be ignored. This is a great indication that your heart cannot pump enough blood. In case the pain extends to your arm, neck, jaw, or back, you may have suffered severe cardiac damage.

Shortness of Breath

Breathlessness on any type of light activity or on even lying down can be a symptom that the heart is not pumping a sufficient amount of blood. This usually occurs when the fluid accumulates in the lungs due to a weak heart. Consult medical attention when the breathlessness occurs occasionally or suddenly.

Constant Fatigue or Weakness

Always feeling exhausted despite having taken some rest may be a sign that your heart fails to pump oxygenated blood to the body. Sometimes, individuals think that this symptom is the sign of stress or excessive workload, and constant exhaustion cannot be neglected.

Irregular Heartbeat or Palpitations

Whether the heart is damaged can be indicated through racing or irregular beating of the heart. On untimely treatment it may result in cardiac arrest. You might experience either a pitter-pat or a pounding in the chest in either rest or following mild physical activity.

Swelling in Feet, Ankles, or Abdomen

The weak heart finds it hard to pump the blood properly hence fluid accumulates in various body parts. An early sign of heart failure can be swelling in the feet, abdomen or ankle.

When to Seek Help

Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Call medical help immediately in case of chest pains, extreme breathlessness or dizziness. Heart checkups, keeping the diet healthy, physical activity, and keeping warm during winter time should help to reduce risks.

Winter may be harsh to your heart and life could be saved by detecting warning symptoms in time.