Low temperatures can increase arterial pressure, increase the heart load, and make cardiovascular diseases worse. People with hypertension and existing heart problems are particularly at risk, so preventive measures take on special importance during the cold months
Dr. Valon Bellanica
Cardiologist
As temperatures drop, the organism activates protective mechanisms to maintain body heat. However, this physical response can also have consequences for the cardiovascular system, especially among chronically ill people.
How seriously does the cold affect the growth of arterial pressure? Can he contribute to a heart attack, arrhythmia, or a worsening heart failure? The answers are related to changes in the organism during exposure to low temperatures but also to health and individual risk factors.
When temperatures drop, does the danger rise for the heart?
The decline in temperatures during the cold months affects not only the daily welfare but also the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The exposure to cold can increase arterial pressure, increase the burden of heart labor, and contribute to increased risk for cardiovascular acute events, especially in people with hypertension or existing heart disease.
How does cold affect arterial pressure?
The human organism has sophisticated mechanisms to maintain body temperature. When exposed to low temperatures, the attractive nervous system is activated, causing the narrowing of peripheral blood vessels. This process, known as vascontrition, reduces heat loss, but also increases systemic vascular resistance and can cause increased arterial pressure.
In addition to vases, neurohormonal activism, changes in endothelial function and hemodinamic adaptations can contribute to this physical response.
A metanalysis published in the journal Science of the Total Environment reported that any reduction of 1 °C of the average daily temperature of the environment was accompanied by an average increase of about 0.26 mm of systolic pressure and 0.13 mmHg of diastolic pressure. The effect was more pronounced on people with cardiovascular disease.
These values represent the average population level and do not mean that each individual will experience the same change.
Why should hypertension patients be more careful?
Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. During the cold months, its control may become more challenging for some patients. According to literature, arterial pressure tends to be higher during winter and lower during summer, though individual changes are significant.
Links Between Cold and Cardiovascular Disease
The American Heart Association points out that short – term exposure to nonoptimal temperatures, including cold, can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as mouseard heart attack, stroke, decompension of heart failure, arithmia and sudden death.
1. Coronary Disease and Miocard Attack
In patients with coronary diseases, increasing arterial pressure and the load of heart labor can add to myocard’s demand for oxygen. If the oxygen supply is not compatible with demand, symptoms of ixia, such as angina pectoris, may arise.
epidemiological studies have reported links between exposure to cold and increasing coronary events, although mechanisms are complex and involve more than just changing arterial pressure.
2. Cardiac Insuciency
Cardiac insulin patients can be especially sensitive to hemodine change. The increase in the pressure burden that the heart pumps against (afterload), respiratory infections, and changes in physical activity can contribute to the deterioration of the clinical situation. The appearance of the new dyspne, ortopenes, or peripheral edemes requires clinical evaluation and should not be automatically attributed to low temperatures.
3. Arithms and Unexpected Cardiac Death
Physical stress related to cold and intense physical strain at low temperatures can contribute to the cardiac load. Metaanalysis have reported links between exposure to extreme temperatures and cardiac arrest outside the hospital, but this relationship is affected by age, basic diseases and individual risk factors.
Which persons are the most endangered?
Special attention must be given:
- Older people, especially those with chronic illnesses
- People with uncontrolled arterial hypertensions
- People with coronary disease or myocard history
- People with heart failure or chronic kidney disease
- People with mellitus diabetes and cerbrovascular disease
- People who work in open environments and are exposed for long periods of low temperatures
- The individual danger depends on the intensity and duration of exposure, clinical conditions, and control of risk factors.
ASphotostudio
How can we protect our heart during the cold months?
1. Regular Measurement of Arterial Pressure
Hypertension patients should continue monitoring arterial pressure at home, especially if they observe seasonal changes or higher values than usual.
2. Continued therapy described
Antihypertensity and cardiovascular barriers should be taken according to doctor’s direction. The changes in doses should be based on clinical evaluation and not just on the season of the year.
3. Protection From Low temperatures
Clothes, head protection, and limbs are recommended, and the limit to prolonged exposure to cold is limited.
4. Adapted Physical Activity
Physical activity remains important to cardiovascular health, but patients must avoid sudden and intense strains at low temperatures, especially if they have coronary diseases or heart failure.
5. Caring for Alarm Signs
Pain or pressure on the chest, sudden disnea, sincopes, and speech disorders require urgent medical evaluation.
End
The decline in environmental temperatures represents an environmental factor of importance to cardiovascular health. The peripheral series, attractive activism and hemodinam changes help explain the seasonal growth of arterial pressure.
Scientific data also shows a link between exposure to cold and increasing cardiovascular mortality. However, the scale of this danger varies between individuals and cannot be attributed only to changing arterial pressure.
Hypertension control, careful monitoring of high – risk patients, and the education in cold protection are important parts of cardiovascular prevention during the cold months. /Telegraphy/