Drop in temperature endangers the heart

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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Falling temperatures can put heart failure patients at risk. In particular, when the temperatures drop into the cellar in a short time, it becomes risky.

"Doctors rarely think about the weather when advising patients with cardiac insufficiency," says Prof. Pierre Gosselin from the University of Laval in Canada. The researchers primarily wanted to investigate to what extent extreme temperature fluctuations, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, are critical. " Our research shows that cold weather can cause problems that can be hospitalized or even fatal. "

How the weather affects

For the study, the researchers determined climate data such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and air pollution. They related this to health data from 113,000 patients over 65 who were diagnosed with heart failure in Quebec between 2001 and 2011. On average, they accompanied the participants for 635 days. More than 18,300 had to be hospitalized during this period to worsen their condition, and more than 4,200 died.

Falling temperatures, increasing risk

The first noticeable thing was that the number of inpatient stays and deaths rose in the winter months. For every degree the temperature fell within seven days, the risk of hospitalization or fatal exacerbation increased 0.7 percent. With a temperature drop of 10 degrees, the risk was consequently a whole seven percent higher.

“That means people with heart defects shouldn't expose themselves too much to cold or foggy weather,” says Gosselin.

Hard work for the heart

When the temperature is low, the blood vessels in the skin and other parts of the body constrict, causing blood pressure to rise. The heart then has to pump blood into the arteries against greater resistance. This burden can be too great for hearts that are already weakened.

Check blood pressure, adjust medication

Heart patients should therefore check their blood pressure more frequently, especially in the colder months of the year, and if necessary, increase the medication dose in the winter season in consultation with the doctor. If symptoms such as tightness of the heart or shortness of breath occur due to the cold, you should return to the warmth as soon as possible and have the symptoms clarified by a doctor.

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