Winter Months - Hard on the Heart

There are a lot of diseases associated with the winter, particularly colds, the flu, and even bronchitis.  But there’s one serious winter disease most people don’t even think about:  heart disease.  You’re twice as likely to suffer a heart attack during the winter than in the summer.  Plus, winter heart attacks are more likely to be fatal.  This means, if you do have heart health issues, or if you have risk factors for heart attacks, you need to take care to protect yourself all year round, especially in the winter months.

The most obvious reason your heart is at risk during the winter is the cold.  When we go out in extreme cold, our blood vessels contract and it makes it even harder for blood to get through our veins.  If there is plaque build-up, this cuts off circulation to the heart even more.  If you must go outside in extreme temperatures, make sure to bundle up well to prevent too much exposure.  As you come back indoors, be sure to remove layers slowly.  Wait a few minutes to remove your coat, gloves, and other clothes.

Winter time also causes a big jump in one of the big risk factors for heart attacks:  stress.  We all know the holidays can stress us out, but decreased sunlight and physical activity in the winter can also leave us feeling depressed, which simply adds on to the holiday stresses.

Take some time out of every day to relax and unwind.  If you are having trouble controlling your stress even if you add things you’ll enjoy to your day, try adding other relaxation techniques.   Many people benefit from techniques like meditation, yoga, or visualization. 

With the winter comes another less enjoyable season, flu season.  If you get the flu or other illness during the winter, it can add extra stress to your system and could trigger a heart attack.  It is a good idea to get a flu shot from your doctor every year.  In addition, take steps to avoid other illnesses by staying away from people who are sick and regularly washing you hands and using waterless sanitizer.

Physical activity is another big reason for winter heart attacks.  Moderate physical activity is good for you and can help reduce your risks, but if you have a bad heart, pushing yourself too hard can trigger serious problems.  This can be caused by working too hard to shovel or by starting a strenuous exercise program.

Always take care to exercise moderately.  You don’t have to push yourself hard to get the results you want, and you’ll be keeping yourself safe.  Always talk to a doctor before you start an exercise program, especially if you have heart related issues.

Diet is another big factor in increasing your risk of heart attack.  Not only do you have more access to unhealthy foods because of the holidays, you’re also more likely to eat or overeat these unhealthy foods because of wintertime depression.  This adds to the build-up in your arteries and adds to the workload of your heart.  Work to control your portions and replace cookies and candies with heart-healthy alternatives.

While heart disease is a serious condition, following doctor’s orders and taking extra precautions can help reduce your risk this winter.