As the temperature drops, it takes a toll on your body and makes it function in a specific way to cope with the demands of the climate. One organ that faces the maximum wrath of winters is the heart. The heart has to adjust its pumping accordingly to help the body adapt to the climatic conditions and stay healthy. There are various ways in which winters can affect the heart and make it weak.
During winters, the arteries become constricted as a result of which the heart has to put in more effort to pump the blood. This makes the heart stress out and it could lead to a heart attack in people who already have an existing heart disease. It is riskier for those who do not have any inkling about pre-existing heart conditions. Here, Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai gives us tips to take care of the heart during winters. Here are a few of them:
Keep yourself warm enough so you don t suffer from hypothermia which means the body temperature has fallen below 35 degrees Celsius or about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include lack of coordination, mental confusion, slowed reactions, shivering and sleepiness. It happens when your body can't produce enough energy to keep the internal organs of your body warm enough. It can be fatal. So it is necessary to keep one warm.
To keep warm, wear layers of clothing. This traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Also, wear a hat or head scarf if necessary. Heat can be lost through your head too. Also, protect your ears as they are prone to frostbite. Keep your hands and feet warm, too, as they tend to lose heat rapidly.
The cold weather increases your heart rate and blood pressure. So, if you are a heart patient it is better you be vigilant with your medications and follow up with your doctor.
Don t try to exert your heart to keep yourself warm as this could make your heart go into an overdrive and lead to an episode of a heart attack.
Keep active, but don t go overboard. If you become a couch potato during winters, it could interfere with blood circulation, increase the risk of developing blood clots and lead to heart attack and stroke. Move around at least once an hour and avoid sitting still for long periods.
Keeping your home warm and stay indoors in the evenings. Stay active indoors to help keep you warm. Have regular hot meals and warm drinks to give your body the energy it needs to keep you warm.
Wrap up in layers of clothing. Wearing a few thin layers can help keep you warmer than one thick layer. A lot of heat is lost from your head, so wear a hat and scarf when going outside.
During winters we tend to overexert and take brisk walks against strong wind, run jog etc to warm the body. Exertion increases the heart's demand for oxygen. If there's a blockage in an artery that reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, supply may not be sufficient to meet the demand. Many of us have blockages and we don't even know about it. Especially, if you have risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history avoid doing this as this can set you up for a heart attack.
Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.
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