a perfect storm for heart disease
As our region has snow and some of the the coldest air that has seen years it is important to think about how that winter weather can affect your heart.
"there is a perfect storm for heart disease," said Terry Jodrie, MD, emergency physician at Washington Adventist Hospital. "You have people who are not in good shape physical position outside lift snow shovels, and because of the cold weather their blood vessels become smaller. It creates a set of circumstances that heart disease like. "
The combination of colder temperatures and physical activity increases the workload on the heart. People with heart disease often suffer chest pain or discomfort in the cold, and studies suggest extreme winter conditions can increase the risk of a heart attack of a person.
"We tend to see a spike in heart attacks and unstable angina, very cold days," said Jodrie
the American heart Association offers these winter weather tips for people with existing heart disease :.
- Give yourself a break. Take frequent breaks when shoveling order not to overstate your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
- do not eat a heavy meal before or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.
- Use a small shovel or consider a snow blower. the act of lifting heavy snow can increase blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to raise small amounts several times that carrying around some huge shovels of snow. When possible, simply push the snow
- Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and listen to your body , but remember this :. Even if you are not sure it's a heart attack, checking (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Do not wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1
- Consult a physician. If you have a medical condition, do not exercise on a regular basis or are middle aged or older, meet with your doctor before exercising in cold weather.
- Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers forming a protective insulation. Wear a hat because much of your body heat can be lost through the head.
For more weather safety tips for cold Dr. Terry Jodrie, listen to his interview on WTOP radio.
Are you at risk for heart disease? Learn the age of your heart and the risk of heart disease with our heart risk assessment for quick and easy healthy, available www.TrustedHeartCare.com.
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