Heart Attack Risk Increases as the Thermostat Drops

According to research published this year in the British Medical Journal, the rate of heart attacks increases as the temperature drops. Researchers discovered that a 1°C reduction in temperature was associated with a cumulative 2% increase in risk of myocardial infarction over over the subsequent 28-day period.

Particularly vulnerable were individuals between the ages of 75 and 84, as well as those with coronary heart disease. So what cause this correlation? “Previous research has suggested that blood thickens in cold weather, which may account for the link,” says Diabetes Forecast magazine.

And what, if anything, can you do to protect your heart as the thermostat drops? The American Heart Association recommends avoiding sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow or even walking through snow, especially heavy snow and snow drifts.

You also need to be aware of the risks of hypothermia, a “potentially fatal condition where the body's temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 deg C), because it can't make enough energy to keep the core warm,” according to Medical News Today. Hypothermia slows the body’s respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems, which can lead to irregular heartbeat.

The AHA says the best way to stay warm and ward of hypothermia is to wear layers. “This traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Also, wear a hat or head scarf. Heat can be lost through your head. And ears are especially prone to frostbite. Keep your hands and feet warm, too, as they tend to lose heat rapidly.”

Additional resources and references:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/210402.php

http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c3823.full

http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=57&item=468

http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/forecast/cold-weather-and-heart-attacks