In a hot and humid country like India, everyone romanticizes winter and wait for it all year long. But the dip in temperature brings not only comfort of wintry bliss but also several diseases along with it. Falling temperature can increase the chance of heart attack due to rising blood pressure. Patients who already suffered from heart attack previously or had cholesterol problem and elderly patients above 60 years of age are more prone to heart attacks during winter. Adding to the winter woes, respiratory infections are high during the cold season that further causes complications. Influenza can aggravate an existing heart condition putting a patient on higher risk. Hypothermia is not uncommon during winters. Hypothermia strikes when a person’s core body temperature falls below 95° F. Some of the symptoms are body chills, blotchy skin, fingers and toes turning bluish and numbness or tingling sensation. It causes muscle stiffness, cramps, irregular breathing, slurred speech and in extreme cases it might lead to cardiac arrest.

Dr. Anjan Siotia, Consultant at CK Birla Hospitals – BMB, says, “Dropping temperature tends to constrict the blood vessels pushing the blood flow to speed up so that the body stays warm. This in turn increases the blood pressure which might lead to heart attack. People who have existing heart condition or other comorbidities will be at high risk. Making healthy choices in daily life, being physically active and going for regular check-ups go a long a way in living a heart healthy life. Also, it is important to keep a close watch on what you are eating and drinking during the festivities of winter months.”

Dr. Siotia recommends the following precautions:

1. Go easy on holiday meals. Consume less fat and alcohol. Try to eat healthy and in limited quantity. Stay hydrated
2. Keeping yourself warm will protect your heart. Wrap yourself with multiple thin layers to keep the warmth. However, don’t suffocate or overheat yourself
3. Don’t stop your regular exercises. Physical activities make your heart stronger and protect against coronary artery disease and vascular disease
4. In case if you feel like you are coming down with flu, consult a doctor immediately and take your prescribed shot and medicine
5. Stay away from outdoors when temperature drops drastically
6. Maintain a healthy weight
7. Keep your diabetes under control
8. Sleep properly at night
9. Manage your cholesterol. Avoid consuming saturated fat, trans- fat and sodium rich food
10. Control your high blood pressure

Everyone should be wary of the warning signs of heart attack like acute chest pain, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, pain down one arm or shoulder, rapid pulse and nausea. A sudden onset of stroke shows signs like face dropping, blurry vision, numbness, overall fatigue, trouble while walking, confusion, change in behaviour, irritation among others. In such cases, instantly seek medical help. Prompt treatment help in fast recovery. Extreme physical activity and emotional stress should be avoided at all cost. If you are a heart patient already then make sure your medical supply is always available and don’t miss out on any routine check-up. For elderly people it is significant to be extra careful during the winter season. Diabetic patients must optimize their insulin level. Everyone must enjoy the party season completely tension free, just being little cautious about diet and daily exercise habits will help to sail through the cold season smoothly.