Diet & Food

Not a snow shovel and a scarf over the mouth

The Sunny, but cold winter weather can be for people with cardiovascular disease, dangerous. The German heart Foundation advises heart patients to overexert themselves at temperatures below the freezing point. Studies have shown that certain heart diseases in the winter months to increase. People with these diseases should therefore be careful:

  • coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • after a heart attack
  • Angina Pectoris
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart weakness
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • deep vein thrombosis

In addition, give it to the first evidence of a link between the colder months of the year, and the more frequent Occurrence of stroke, pulmonary embolism , and certain cardiac arrhythmias.

The reason for the additional burden for the heart: the Case of low temperatures can constrict the blood vessels in the skin and other body regions. As a result, the blood pressure rises and the heart has to pump blood against a greater resistance by the body. The constant stress can damage the heart muscle and blood vessel walls.

The German heart Foundation advises Concerned, great efforts to avoid. In the case of minus degrees of heart patients should wrap to protect the best a scarf around mouth and nose so that the air already preheated in the respiratory tract. Who gets the Sport out there shortness of breath, should immediately return to the Warm and the symptoms of a doctor to clarify. These alarm signals for a heart attack everyone should know:

  • severe pain
  • massive a feeling of tightness
  • violent Burning
  • Nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and pain in the upper belly
  • Sweat, with cold, pale skin

In freezing temperatures, should people with cardiovascular sporting activities, better inside route, advises Stefan Sack, chief physician of the clinic for cardiology, pneumology and Internistic intensive care medicine and the emergency centre of Munich, clinic Schwabing. “Also, when skiing, it should leave people with an increased risk of slow down on strenuous winter sports Outdoor activities.”

He advises also that drugs, in consultation with the doctor in the morning, because the blood pressure usually is at its highest. In case of acute chest, the patient should have pain in addition, a nitro spray as a rescue drug. People with coronary pre-existing conditions should the snow shovel, also, rather than leaving it to others.

In addition, it is important to keep warm – even at home. “Afraid of high Heating costs, many people in the Winter, heating is not correct, a cold home can increase the blood pressure significantly,” says Sack.

Even people without pre-existing conditions should protect yourself from the cold. While it is not proven that thin clothes more colds, but at low temperatures, viruses survive for longer periods of time without the host. In addition, many spend the Winter and more time together in closed spaces, which increases the risk of Infection. Heating air also dries the mucous membranes and makes pathogens easier to implant.

Who to prevent infections should air regularly, wash your hands and the distance to Sick keep. Have, nevertheless, pathogens, broad-made, the only Cure. Only when no cold symptoms occur, Affected to take part in sports. “Who goes in spite of cold, Jogging or otherwise sports power, burdened the heart and risked serious health consequences,” warns bag. “You should already be a heart muscle disorder, can also cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.”