Winter has been surprisingly mild in some parts of the country, but even though we haven’t seen as much snow as we’re accustomed to, there are risks associated with the cold weather. It’s important to know how the cold weather affects your heart, especially if you suffer from cardiovascular disease.
LIKE DailyVitamina.com on Facebook! Get Your Daily Vitamin…FOR LIFE!
What Happens To Your Heart During Cold Temperatures?
When the temperature drops, you may not realize it, but your heart actually has to work harder. According to the American Heart Association, heart failure causes most deaths from hypothermia. This is a dangerous condition where your body temperature falls below normal.
Your heart pumps blood through your arteries to organs and tissues throughout your body. When the temperature drops, your heart has to work harder to help maintain your body’s core temperature. Even walking through heavy snow and shoveling snow can increase your risk for a heart attack. High winds, snow and rain can also steal body heat. This is why you have to pay close attention to the weather because even though it may be 30 degrees outside, if there are 30 mile per hour wind gusts, the cooling effect is equal to just 15 degrees. This causes your body to lose heat faster than in drier conditions.
Heart Attack Symptoms
- Chest discomfort (Remember: not all people with heart attacks have chest pain.)
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Breaking out in a cold sweat, or feeling nauseous or lightheaded
Hypothermia symptoms
- Exhaustion or drowsiness
- Shivering
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Fumbling hands
- Slurred speech
What Can You Do?
- Bundle Up: Don’t play the hero and wear shorts, you have nothing to prove. Wear a winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Make sure you cover your head and ears, and as much as your face to prevent frostbite and protect yourself from the cold wind and snow/freezing rain.
- Take it Easy: When blizzard-like weather comes knocking, it’s important to do a couple of trips shoveling snow. Remember that the longer you wait, the heavier the snow will be. Take frequent rests and don’t try shoveling too much snow at once (use your knees), you don’t want to overstress your heart.
- Skip the alcohol: When you drink, your cheeks get pink and you feel warm, so this may cause some people to underestimate the strain your body is in. So, skip the alcohol and drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Stay warm and stay healthy.
NEXT: American Heart Association: 1 in 3 Americans Die From Heart Disease