Research shows that there are up to 53% more heart attacks in winter than in summer. Although we all love the cold weather but cold temperature also plays the staggering role in raising blood pressure and also in increasing the levels of the proteins that may increase the risk of blood clotting. Read on to know the connection between cold weather and the risk of heart attacks and how to prevent it
Winter is on its way. But did you know cold weather may also increase your risk of heart attack? Yes; winter is the most common season of heart attacks. Figures can never lie and research shows that there are up to 53% more heart attacks in winter than in summer.
A recent study has revealed an interesting fact – on a single day each 1.8 degree F reduction in temperature had a direct link to around 200 additional heart attacks!
Although we all love the cold weather but cold temperature also plays the staggering role in raising blood pressure and also in increasing the levels of the proteins that may increase the risk of blood clotting.
So Why Does The Cold Weather Increase The Risk Of Heart Attack?
There are a number of factors involved. To start with; the drop in temperature can raise your blood pressure along with increasing levels of proteins, which further raise your risk of blood clots.
During the cold months your heart also need to work harder for maintaining the body heat and for tightening the arteries.
This further restricts the blood flow while reducing the supply of oxygen to your heart. All of these factors together may trigger a heart attack, especially for elderly people or for people with heart diseases.
There is yet another issue of ‘hypothermia’ which may also trigger a heart attack. In fact; Heart failure stands as one of the leading causes of death in hypothermia cases. For the uninitiated; hypothermia occurs when the body starts losing its normal temperature, which is why it is important to dress appropriately for the season, if you plan to be outdoors in the cold chilly days.
There is another factor which may also link the winter days with heart attacks. It has nothing to do with temperature although but has a direct connection with the lack of sunlight.
Yes, the Dark Chilly Days May Pose a Greater Risk Of Heart Attacks
Dr. John Cannell – the founder of the Vitamin D Council found that although winter has a connection with heart attacks but still people living at the higher altitudes are somewhat less likely to die from a heart attack. Dr. John Cannell clearly showed that people living at 950 meters and above, where vitamin D is rather intense, had a much lower cardiac mortality rate than their low-land counterparts.
Yes; Your Heart Needs Vitamin D
Believe it or not; with an un-optimized Vitamin D level you will be putting your heart at risk. Medically speaking; Vitamin D is one of the most potent and known substrate for repairing and maintaining the seco-steroid hormone, which serves the multiple gene-regulatory functions within the body. In fact; Vitamin D also functions in many different tissues and affects a large number of health condition, including the heart disease
In a recent Clinical Endocrinology study it has been revealed that people with lowest amount of vitamin D levels had a 124 % greater risk of health hazard and a 378 % greater risk of dying from heart attack.
Arterial stiffness, which is certainly one of the major risk factors for stroke and heart disease, has a direct connection with vitamin D deficiency. There is no secret; Vitamin D deficiency leads to increased risks for your heart. Because maintaining the required amount of vitamin D status requires some extra effort in the dark chilly days it stands as a crucial heart risk factor, which should not be ignored.
Other Factors That Increase the Risk of Heart Attack during the Winter Months
Let us now talk about the biological risk factor. The cold weather causes the blood vessel to contract and this in turn raises the blood pressure level while increasing the risk of heart attacks.
Since the coronary arteries may constrict in the cold months, angina or chest pain may worsen during this time.
Whether you are impacted by all or by at least one of these factors then it may contribute to increased risk of heart attacks during the winter months.
Take a few necessary steps to prevent heart risks during winter.
Consult with an experienced cardiologist in Kolkata to take care of your heart health