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If you suffer
from cardiovascular problems, bundle up this winter, especially in the southern
hemisphere where winter is coming this month of June. A recent study from Samuel
J. Mann, MD, hypertension specialist and associate professor of clinical
medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell
University, New York City, and author of Healing Hypertension: A Revolutionary
New Approach (Wiley), warns that low temperatures and sudden cold snaps can bring
on heart attacks in people with high blood pressure.
HEART PATIENTS WERE VULNERABLE
At the University of Dijon in France, a two-year study was
conducted involving more than 700 people with heart attacks admitted to area
hospitals. When matched with weather conditions, researchers found that in
those with hypertension (defined as having blood pressure higher than 140/90,
heart attacks were more frequent when the temperature dropped below 25°F. This effect was not observed in the 50% of people in the study with normal blood pressure. Additionally, sudden day-to-day changes in temperature posed an especially serious danger. A drop of five degrees or more in a single day was associated with a more than 60% increase in heart attack risk in people with hypertension.
We contacted Samuel J. Mann, MD, hypertension specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Medical College of Cornell University, to get his thoughts on the study. He told us that blood pressure is a little higher in the winter than in the summer, but this should not have a huge impact.
More broadly, researches don’t know the exact reason for increased health risk with low temperatures, but there are several theories…
• Cold weather makes blood vessel constrict, which makes it more difficult for blood to pass through them.
• The cold makes blood thicker and stickier, which makes it more apt to clot.
• Cholesterol rises during cold weather.
• Colds and flu may lead to inflammation and contribute to heart-attack risk.
• Avoid any unnecessary trips out into the cold.
• When you outside, wear a warm hat and layered clothing.
• Make sure your home is sufficiently warm. This is especially important for older people, who have more temperature-related health concerns.
• If you suffer from heart problems, see your health-care provider and carefully follow his/her recommendations.
References:
Samuel J. Mann, MD, hypertension specialist and associate professor of clinical medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, and author of Healing Hypertension: A Revolutionary New Approach (Wiley).
We contacted Samuel J. Mann, MD, hypertension specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Medical College of Cornell University, to get his thoughts on the study. He told us that blood pressure is a little higher in the winter than in the summer, but this should not have a huge impact.
More broadly, researches don’t know the exact reason for increased health risk with low temperatures, but there are several theories…
• Cold weather makes blood vessel constrict, which makes it more difficult for blood to pass through them.
• The cold makes blood thicker and stickier, which makes it more apt to clot.
• Cholesterol rises during cold weather.
• Colds and flu may lead to inflammation and contribute to heart-attack risk.
BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT DURING COLD DAYS
No matter what the theory is behind it, the facts are still the facts. If you suffer from cardio-vascular problems, exercise good common sense this winter.• Avoid any unnecessary trips out into the cold.
• When you outside, wear a warm hat and layered clothing.
• Make sure your home is sufficiently warm. This is especially important for older people, who have more temperature-related health concerns.
• If you suffer from heart problems, see your health-care provider and carefully follow his/her recommendations.
References:
Samuel J. Mann, MD, hypertension specialist and associate professor of clinical medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, and author of Healing Hypertension: A Revolutionary New Approach (Wiley).
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