Why the risk of heart attacks is higher in the winter mornings ?
Heart attacks are concerning in and of themselves, but did you know that statistics indicate that they—along with strokes—Why the risk of heart attacks is higher in the winter mornings ? This number is clearly not an accident, according to numerous studies conducted over the years, which has inspired more research.
Why do heart attacks increase in the winter? What might be driving this phenomenon, and how can your risk be reduced? The wonderful thing is that numerous medical professionals and cardiology specialists have proposed plausible causes for this growth since its discovery. Let’s first examine the problem before looking at what you can do to prevent it from becoming a health problem.
We must first comprehend what it means to imply that there are more heart attacks in the winter months before moving on to the likely causes. Let’s use a hypothetical hospital as an illustration. If we construct a record of every patient admitted to this hospital over the course of a year, for whatever reason, we will notice that more heart attacks occurred during the colder months. According to certain studies (conducted in the actual world), heart attacks may occur 31-33% more frequently in the winter, and every 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature was accompanied by a 0.49% rise in mortality from all causes.
The body must adapt to the chilly environment in order to maintain a healthy body temperature. Thus, in order to keep the body warm, the heart must work harder. The cardiac muscles are under additional strain, and blood pressure rises as a result. As a result, the cold weather raises the risk of blood clotting, chest pain, discomfort, and a heart attack in people who already have high blood pressure or any other cardiac issue. You must purchase critical illness insurance for yourself if you have heart disease. If you have a heart attack, the insurance reimbursement will cover your expenses both during and after treatment.
On a deeper level, the body adjusts its hormonal composition in reaction to colder weather, which may result in higher amounts of clotting factors and cholesterol. Since platelets have the propensity to clump more, a blood clot may be more likely as a result. Heart attacks and strokes can both be brought on by blood clots (strokes happen due to loss of blood supply to the brain). These tiny clots obstruct the already narrowed blood channels, which stops the blood from reaching its destination. A heart attack or even heart failure may result from a blockage on a blood channel that nourishes the heart.
The primary offender in this case may be the cold, which triggers physiological changes that build up and eventually result in a heart attack. The body must continue to keep itself warm when it gets cold. To achieve this, the blood must be pumped through the blood arteries more forcefully as they constrict (tighten/become narrower). This indicates that blood pressure is generally greater in the colder months.The decreased amounts of sun exposure are another significant effect. This decreased exposure to the sun might result in Vitamin D deficiency either because people spend more time indoors or because some regions just receive less sunlight. Numerous research have looked into the connection between vitamin D insufficiency and cardiovascular disorders. There is evidence that lower levels of vitamin D are indirectly linked to more heart problems, even though there is no evidence that vitamin D supplementation can prevent cardiac difficulties.
Although the aforementioned causes and mechanisms are present in all persons, a heart attack cannot be brought on by any one of them. Instead, each element contributes to the risk’s gradual increase, yet even these factors taken individually might not be sufficient. It basically comes down to having a heart attack risk before the cold weather. People who are already at risk may find that the winter strains their bodies to the breaking point, raising their risk of a cardiac event.
Heart Failure, especially in winter:
The rapid drop in temperature might exacerbate any health problems one may already have or provide the ideal environment for a serious ailment to develop. The following triggers should be avoided:
- High Blood Pressure: Avoid going outside in the cold if your blood pressure typically falls within a set range and starts to rise and fall unexplainably. You should also avoid going outside if your heart rate or pulse change. You would be better off staying at home in a secure setting and cozying up in some warm wool clothing.
- Air pollution: As smog and other pollutants tend to settle closer to the ground in the winter, breathing issues and chest infections are more likely to occur. Keep those in your family who suffer from heart failure and complain of shortness of breath away from pollutants since these irritants can exacerbate their symptoms and, in severe circumstances, result in hospitalization.
- Lack of perspiration: In summer, one drinks water to the heart’s delight but sweats out a lot of it. In winter’s low temperatures your rate of perspiration is reduced and when the body is not able to get rid of the extra water, it can cause fluids to build up in the lungs, worsening the cardiac function in heart failure patients. As the fluids back up and flood the lungs, it can further increase breathing problems, add to anxiety, and lead to a full-fledged myocardial infarction.
- Lack of Sunlight exposure and Vitamin D: In India, a tropical nation, the sun shines for the most of the year, save for extremely cold winters and the height of the monsoon. But during the winter, our bodies are unable to synthesise the essential vitamin D that is needed to help prevent the build-up of scar tissues in the heart that defend against heart failure following a heart attack because of improper exposure to sunshine. Low vitamin D levels so tend to raise the risk of heart failure throughout the winter. Consult your doctor about taking supplements of vitamin D.
If you are at risk, you may want to periodically monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and keep them within healthy ranges. In addition, if you are unsure about how to approach the approaching season, you may always consult your doctor. Remember that maintaining a positive outlook and a stress-free lifestyle is always advised for health.
