PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, Jan 29: With the dip in the temperature, the cases of heart attack and brain stroke have increased in the state. As many as 13 patients having heart-related issues has been admitted to the medicine ward of the RIMS.
Head of Medicine Department at RIMS Dr Vidyapati said that death rates from cardiovascular diseases increase dramatically as cold weather sets in.
“During winters, our heart makes minor adjustments so that normal physiological body processes may continue without hindrance. However, this is also a time when cold weather may cause catastrophic health events, such as stroke or heart attacks. Every one-degree Celsius drop in temperature is associated with a 0.49% increase in deaths, particularly from circulatory causes,” Dr. Vidyapati said.
The reason for the higher incidence of heart attacks is poorly understood, doctors said. It may be due to cold-induced narrowing of heart blood vessels leading to less supply to the heart muscle. It has also been shown that blood pressure has an inverse relation to environmental temperature.
During winters, the blood pressure increases, thereby making the heart work harder to pump the same amount of blood. Any unaccustomed exercise can put a strain on the heart, triggering a heart attack.
“It is advisable to withhold strenuous exercise during winter mornings. One should wear warm clothing to protect oneself from the many hazards of a cold wave. More layers of clothing during the winter trap the air and forms protective insulation. Wearing a protective head and ear gears are beneficial as much of the body’s heat is lost from here, making the body vulnerable to cold injury. People who have multiple risk factors for heart disease should first consult their cardiologist for optimisation of treatment,” Dr. Vidyapati added.
Head of Critical Care at RIMS, Dr Pradeep Bhattacharya said that one should restrict from going on morning walks too early in the morning and after attaining the age of 40 one should always go for a yearly checkup.
