New Delhi: Patients who have a history of heart ailments, specifically those who have stents placed in their heart, or have undergone an angioplasty, are recommended to move to warmer climate zones rather than opt for cooler climes. It is because, heart attacks are a common occurrence in winter months and experts have been struggling to find a link. Most of the cardiac surgeons will tell you that colder outside temperatures impact blood clots and vessels thus resulting in issues with the blood flow to the heart. It’s estimated that over five million people in India die from SCA each year, many of whom are under 50 years of age. Around 20 per cent would not have had a history of heart ailment but the rest of the 80 per cent who have a sudden cardiac arrest have suffered from coronary artery disease.
Cardiac surgeons have warned it to be a misnomer that only extreme conditions such as hypothermia or frostbite can result in heart-related issues. A drop in temperatures can very severely impact your heart health and in ways you may not have envisaged. “They are mostly biological conditions, the cold may cause blood vessels to contract which in turn raises the blood pressure and increase risk of heart attack and stroke,” explains Dr Narendra Jain, a general physician from New Delhi who retired as a cardiac surgeon from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Dr Jain says, apart from contracting of the vessels and the blood pressure suddenly spiking, there are other reasons why such heart attacks are more frequent. “Angina, or chest pain due to coronary heart disease, may worsen in winter when coronary arteries constrict in the cold,” he reiterates. During winters, the heart works extra hard to maintain a healthy body temperature but a sudden drop in the temperature followed by strong winter wind can make it dangerous for heart health. “Winter winds cause the body to lose heat very quickly. If the body temperature drops below 95 degrees, causing hypothermia which in turn damages heart muscle,” explains Dr Jain.
Emotional stress during holidays also plays a part. “We have observed that the stress of the holiday season can also increase the level of stress hormones and, consequently, the risk of heart attack or stroke,” he added.
Can lifestyle tweaks help in reversing the trend?
Last year, almost 35 per cent of all cardiac arrests had happened in the months from November – February, considered to be winter months in most parts of India. Although there was a cold wave that had hit the country in phases, this year too promises to be similar. There is intense cold wave warning already issued by IMD for most states of Northern India, the valleys have already had their first bout of snowfall, it is claimed that the winters are only going to get more severe as time passes. So, what do heart patients do? “They should move to warmer areas if possible or maintain a lifestyle that helps them keep warm at all times – via food, attires and maintaining a healthy temperature at home,” says Dr Geeta Pandit, a cardiac nutritionist with Apollo Hospitals.
She explains that simple lifestyle habits can reverse the severity of the condition or the occurrence in itself. Dr Pandit said the incidences of the heart failure is also noticed because people tend to engage in rigorous exercises during colder months which causes a strain in the heart muscle and may cause a stroke if not tended to immediately.
There are some positive ways to ensure that the heart stays happy and healthy too. “For one, ensure that you are dressed for the weather with enough layers to protect yourself from the winter winds or chills. Keeping your foot covered at all times will also help you from keeping the cold at bay. Eating foods that keep your body warm is also a good lifestyle change one must adopt during winter period,” she said.
Avoid excessive alcohol and overeating due to the holiday season. More importantly, understand symptoms and know when to ask for help incase you develop symptoms that resemble a heart attack. “A sudden pain, numbness or tingling in the jaw muscles that arises out of the blue or if you suddenly get cold sweat followed by a sensation of heartburn and fatigue call your physician and get diagnosed. Being alert will go a long way in assuring the heart is safe and sound,” Dr Pandit concludes.
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