Winter weather may be risky for your heart

Parkland cardiologist warns of dangers of a ‘cold’ heart

DALLAS – Ah, February, the month of Valentine’s Day, flowers, chocolates, daffodils – and increased risk of heart attacks. We’ve all heard that shoveling snow can bring on a sudden heart attack. But cold temperatures can significantly up the odds of a heart attack even if you’re not trying to dig your car out of a snowbank.

A study published in the medical journal PLOS One in 2015 reported a 31% increase in heart attacks during the coldest months compared to the warmest. A 16-year study of nearly 300,000 patients reported in ScienceDaily also found heart attack rates spiked in winter. The American Heart Association says people most at risk for winter heart attacks are those who have already had a heart attack, have heart disease or are older than 65. The risk for stroke can also increase in the winter.

“Cold weather causes constriction of blood vessels, making it more difficult to deliver enough oxygen to the heart. And the heart muscle has to work harder in cold weather just to maintain a healthy temperature and prevent hypothermia,” explained James de Lemos, MD, cardiologist at Parkland Health & Hospital System and Professor of Internal Medicine/Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

In addition to higher blood pressure in cold temperatures, cholesterol levels also appear to rise in midwinter, Dr. de Lemos noted. “Winter should not be a time to let go of good habits,” he said.

People with known heart disease should be especially watchful for signs of a heart attack during cold weather, such as shortness of breath and angina, or chest discomfort, Dr. de Lemos advised.

“A heavy pressure sensation of weight on the chest, pain going down the arm or into the neck and nausea are among the more typical signs to watch for,” Dr. de Lemos stated.

Other signs of heart attack can include extreme fatigue, dizziness, sweating, flu-like symptoms and even back or jaw pain. These less typical symptoms may be especially common in women and older people, according to Dr. de Lemos.

Not noticing subtle symptoms also poses a huge risk. A study in the journal Circulation showed that up to 45 percent of heart attacks are ‘silent,’ meaning they occur without noticeable signs.

If you’ve already experienced one heart attack or are at risk for one, know your limitations.

“It’s not a great idea for people with heart disease to go out and do a heroic amount of exercise in cold weather, like shoveling snow. Suddenly going from little or no exercise to a tremendous level of exertion in cold temperatures puts a big strain on the heart,” Dr. de Lemos said.

If you’re going to tackle a strenuous activity outdoors in cold weather, follow advice offered by cardiologists that can lower your risk of heart problems. Don’t go out and do strenuous exercise or jog first thing in the morning because blood is most likely to clot at that time of day. Give yourself time to get up and moving. Warm up with stretching and indoor activities, dress appropriately with your hands, head and mouth covered in extreme cold, and take a break every 15 minutes to lessen the load on your heart.

The best thing you can do for your heart during February, or any time of year, is get moving, Dr. de Lemos said. “The most important ways to prevent heart disease are to eat a heart-healthy diet and get regular, moderate physical activity. We recommend 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least five times a week. You don’t have to be out of breath or break a sweat to get the benefits.”

However, he said, don’t mistake busy-ness for exercise. “It’s a common misconception that because you’re active and busy, you don’t need to go to the gym or take regular walks. Being busy is not the same as doing regular aerobic physical activity. Make time for real exercise in your daily routine to lower stress and improve the flow of blood and oxygen. Your heart will thank you.”

For more information about services at Parkland, visit www.parklandhospital.com.