Overview
- Recent guidance highlights that winter months see more heart attacks, with cardiology research linking lower temperatures to higher blood pressure, altered circulation and blood that clots more easily.
- Older adults and people with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or coronary artery disease face the greatest danger during cold spells.
- Sudden exposure to early‑morning cold or abrupt exertion, such as brisk walks or heavy lifting, can precipitate cardiac events in vulnerable individuals.
- Specialists advise limiting prolonged cold exposure, dressing in layers that cover the head, hands and feet, staying indoors during severe cold and warming up before activity.
- Daily protection includes regular indoor exercise, heart‑smart eating with less salt and processed foods, adequate hydration, consistent sleep, blood‑pressure monitoring, flu vaccination, stress control, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol and keeping up with health checkups.