Winter and the Heart: Why the Cold Season Demands Extra Care

As temperatures drop, the risk of heart attacks quietly rises, affecting families across all age groups. In 2023 alone, heart attacks claimed 2,853 lives, including many young people between 11 and 25. These numbers highlight a simple truth: winter can be tough on the heart, and understanding why can help families stay safer and better prepared.

Cardiologists at IGMC Shimla, emphasizes this seasonal danger. He explains that cold weather forces the heart to work harder, especially in people who already have underlying health concerns. According to them, families should stay alert to early symptoms and take preventive steps long before the temperature dips.

Doctors breaks down the reasons winter increases heart attack risk, the signs to watch for, and the practical steps every household can take to protect loved ones.

Why the Cold Strains the Heart

Cold weather affects the body in several ways, many of which put extra pressure on the heart:

• Vasoconstriction and Higher Blood Pressure: In cold temperatures, blood vessels tighten, raising blood pressure and forcing the heart to pump harder.
• Increased Heart Demand: Even simple actions like shivering or sudden exertion increase the heart’s oxygen needs, which can be dangerous for people with narrowed arteries.
• Stress Hormone Spike: Cold weather can trigger stress hormones that raise heart rate, blood pressure, and the likelihood of clotting.
• Seasonal Infections: Winter brings more flu and pneumonia cases, which cause inflammation that can destabilize plaque in the arteries.
• Lifestyle Changes: Less movement, richer foods, holiday stress, and poor sleep all add strain to the heart.
• Delayed Medical Care: Many people ignore symptoms or avoid going out in the cold, which can worsen outcomes.

Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Heart attack symptoms aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes they’re subtle, and recognizing them early can save a life:

• Chest pressure, tightness, fullness, or pain that may come and go
• Pain spreading to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath, even without chest pain
• Cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, or unusual tiredness

Note: Women may experience less typical symptoms such as sudden fatigue, nausea, or back/jaw pain.

How Families Can Stay Prepared This Winter

A few simple habits can go a long way in reducing risk:

• Dress in layers and keep indoor spaces warm to avoid sudden exposure to cold.
• Avoid sudden, intense physical activity outdoors; warm up indoors first.
• Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes regularly, and keep medications stocked.
• Stay updated on vaccinations to reduce infection-related heart strain.
• Maintain indoor exercise routines, eat balanced meals, limit alcohol, and manage stress.
• Make sure everyone in the family knows the warning signs and the local emergency number.