For people with existing heart disease or stroke, and those who may be at high risk, the stresses of the holiday season may pose extra concern. This includes people with high blood pressure, those who are overweight, smokers, those with high cholesterol, and the sedentary.
The American Heart Association’s is urging all such individuals to exercise due caution to avoid sudden cardiac death.
The AHA recently launched Operation Winter Weather Warnings, and educational campaign targeted to individuals who may be at high risk.
Deaths from coronary artery disease tend to rise rapidly right after Thanksgiving, continuing through Christmas, and peaking around New Year’s Day.
“Several factors may influence this unfortunate trend, from an increase in respiratory infections during the winter, to increased workload on the heart from activities such as shoveling of heavy snow or a decrease in usual exercise needed to maintain cardiovascular health due to weather conditions,” said Dr. Howard Levite, president of the AHA’s Central/Southern New Jersey Region.
The AHA recommends the following tips to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest:
• Avoid sudden cold weather exertion.
Snowstorms present particular challenges for everyone, primarily because getting rid of the snow usually means sudden exertion in cold weather. In and of itself, snow shoveling can be healthy exercise, but not if people are normally sedentary, not if they are in poor physical condition or have risk factors that make snow shoveling inadvisable.
Everyone who must be outdoors in cold weather should avoid sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow. Even walking through heavy, wet snow or snowdrifts can strain a person’s heart.
• Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia.
Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below normal. It occurs when the body can’t produce enough energy to keep the internal body temperature warm enough. It can be fatal. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. Symptoms include lack of coordination, mental confusion, slowed reactions, shivering and sleepiness.
Children, the elderly and those with heart disease are at special risk. As people age, their ability to maintain a normal internal body temperature often decreases. Because elderly people seem to be relatively insensitive to moderately cold conditions, they can suffer hypothermia without knowing they’re in danger.
• Stay Warm.
People with coronary heart disease often suffer chest pain or discomfort called angina pectoris when they’re in cold weather. Besides cold temperatures, high winds, snow and rain also can steal body heat. Wind is especially dangerous, because it removes the layer of heated air from around the body. At 30 degrees Fahrenheit in a 20-mile-per-hour wind, the cooling effect is equal to calm air at 4 degrees. Similarly, dampness causes the body to lose heat faster than it would at the same temperature in drier conditions.
To keep warm, wear layers of clothing. This traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Also, wear a hat or headscarf. Much of the body’s heat can be lost through the head. And ears are especially prone to frostbite.
• Avoid alcohol before heading outdoors.
Alcohol gives an initial feeling of warmth, but this is caused by expanding blood vessels in the skin. Heat is then drawn away from the body’s vital organs. Alcohol consumption and physical activity in harsh winter weather conditions can increase the likelihood of hypothermia.
For more information, visit www.americanheart.org.