People with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or blood circulation problems may find it difficult to protect themselves from cold, what should such patients do to avoid heart attack?
According to medical experts, in this weather, the blood vessels supplying the heart muscles also constrict, and the heart has to work harder, meaning even mild cold can trigger an attack in those at risk.
At Karachi’s largest National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), there has been a concerning increase in the number of heart patients with the onset of cold weather.
The daily number of patients in the emergency ward has increased to 800 to 1,000, most of whom are between 35 to 40 years old.
Associate Professor of Cardiology at NICVD, Dr. Bashir Ahmed Solangi, shared important insights on heart attack and its prevention.
Regarding heart attacks in cold weather, he said the body puts more pressure to maintain heat, leading to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack.
He added that dehydration in winter makes the blood thicker, increasing the risk of blood clots that can block heart arteries.
Flu and pneumonia are common in winter and can be dangerous for heart patients. Note that drinking cold water early in the morning, the coldest time, is when most heart attack cases are seen.
To prevent heart attacks, he advised wearing warm clothes, covering the chest and head, avoiding early morning exercise or running in the cold, staying hydrated, controlling blood pressure and sugar, and seeking medical attention if experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or anxiety.
