Winter is here, and while it brings chilly weather and shorter days, it is important to think about our heart health. This time of year can be tougher on our hearts, especially if we have heart conditions. In this guide, we will talk about why taking care of our hearts is extra important in the cold season and share some easy tips to help keep your heart strong and healthy. Let’s learn how to take good care of our hearts and how cold is too cold for heart patients.
Winter and Your Heart: The Connection
The cold season can be tough on our hearts. Here is why:
- Blood Pressure Goes Up: When it is cold, your blood vessels narrow, and your blood pressure increases. This means your heart has to work harder than usual.
- More Blood Clots: The cold can thicken your blood, leading to clots. These clots can be harmful because they might cause heart attacks or strokes.
- Harder to Exercise Outside: Staying active keeps your heart strong, but cold weather can make it tough to exercise outdoors, leading to less physical activity in winter.
- Winter Blues: Less sunlight and shorter days can make us feel down, which might affect our heart health. This is because when we are down, we might not exercise or eat as healthily.
- Flu Season: Winter is also flu season. Getting the flu can put extra stress on your heart, especially if you already have heart problems.
