Heart disease is one of the leading cause of death. Winters is the most common season for heart attacks. It has been observed that 53 % cases of heart attacks are more in winters than in summers. An average of 193.6 deaths per every 100,000 people. Death from cardiovascular disease tends to be higher in winters. Read this till the end to understand why the risk of heart diseases is higher during winters than in summers.
• It is revealed that many heart disease risk factors such as blood pressure, total cholesterol and waist circumference were higher in January and February but lower in july and august which increases the heart disease.
• Cold temperature can cause a rise in the blood pressure along with increasing the level of proteins that raise the risk of blood clots. When the weather is cold, heart must work harder to maintain body heat and the arteries are tighten which restrict the blood flow and reduce the oxygen supply to the heart. All these factors trigger a heart attack especially in the elderly persons or those with existing heart disease. Sudden exposure can cause constriction of the arteries or lung constriction which causes shortness of breath and give strain to the heart.
• Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below normal. Heart failure is the leading cause of death in hypothermia.
• If the vitamin D levels are not optimized, it will create the heart at risk.
• There are several heart diseases which aggravates during winters such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, aortic rupture, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death.
• In coronary artery disease the fatty plaques narrow the arteries to the heart. When a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot that leads to a heart attack.
Factors which influence cardiovascular disease –
• Age and sex
• Temperature
• Vitamin D
• Serum Cholesterol level
• Physical activity
• Coagulation factors
• Hormones
• Air pollution
• Diet and obesity
• Infections
Risk factors –
• Hypertension (High blood pressure)
• Low HDL, high LDL, blood cholesterol, high triglycerides.
• Cigarette smokers
• Stress
• Drink too much alcohol
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Overweight
• Diet rich in saturated fats.
• Diabetes type 2
Tips to stay healthy life:-
• Stay healthy and safe throughout the winters.
• Keep your body warm particularly by covering your head, hands and feet with warm, dry clothing. These are the areas where the body loses the heat first.
• Exercise regularly.
• Vitamin D level should be optimized.
• Optimize the insulin level.
• Increase HDL level by exercising and take omega -3 fats in the diet.
