Mumbai, Nov 28 (NVI): Winter is a big stress on the heart and results in a significant surge in the heart diseases and stroke to the extent of 25% to 30%, according to a senior Cardiologist Dr Hemant Khemani.
Citing scientific studies, he says heart attacks tend to be more fatal during the colder months compared to the summer.
Moreover, issues such as angina and heart attacks become more prevalent during winter mornings, says Dr Khemani, a senior Cardiologist at Apex Group of Hospitals in Borivali in Mumbai.
He says the additional stress on heart happens because this vital organ has to work harder to keep the body warm in the cold.
Hence, for those who already have heart disease or heart-related health problems, cold temperature may be more dangerous, says the cardiologist, according to a press release.
“People with angina may find that they are less able to be physically active when it’s cold,” he says.
Giving more information on this, Dr. Hemant Khemani says, “When temperatures drop, our bodies respond by narrowing the blood vessels, a process known as vasoconstriction, to conserve heat… The blood itself can become thicker and stickier and more likely to form clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.”
At the same time, he says, winter tends to promote bad lifestyle habits coupled with heavier, often fatty diets, leading to weight gain, a significant risk factor for heart attacks.
“The season sees a rise in smoking and alcohol consumption as well, further contributing to heart attack incidences. This combination of artery constriction, elevated blood pressure, weight gain, reduced physical activity, and heightened cholesterol and sugar levels drives the increased risk of heart attacks during winter.”
Dr. Khemani further added, “Winter months are also the time when various illnesses, such as the flu and pneumonia, strike. Respiratory illnesses in particular are a real stress on the heart, especially for older people.”
He added that recognising the warning signs of a heart attack is equally important.
“Symptoms can include acute chest pain, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in the jaw, back, neck, or shoulders, a cold sweat, a sensation of heartburn, and sudden fatigue,” the doctor says.
According to the World Heart Federation, more than 2 crore people die worldwide every year due to heart-related problems. This means one person dies every 1.5 seconds due to heart related diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart-related problems are the leading cause of death worldwide.
In the last five years, heart disease has been among the leading causes of death worldwide.
In India, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about 24.8% of deaths in the country.
