Winter weather can increase heart health risks
February 7, 2022
Bon Secours Urges Importance of Knowing Common Warning Signs
Bon Secours is encouraging you to be extra vigilant this winter as the drop in temperatures creates more heart health hazards.
Most people associate hypothermia or frostbite with cold weather, but it can also impact your health – specifically your heart – in ways you may not expect
“Most people associate hypothermia or frostbite with cold weather, but it can also impact your health – specifically your heart – in ways you may not expect,” explained Scott Boileau, the Clinical Research Compliance Coordinator at Bon Secours Upstate Cardiology. “Your body tries to protect itself from the cold by constricting blood vessels to retain heat. This forces your heart to work much harder to get oxygenated blood around the body.”
This raises blood pressure and increases the chance of blood clots forming, both of which are risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Angina, or chest pain caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart, can also worsen when coronary arteries constrict in the cold.
A change in seasons can also results in lifestyle changes that impact our heart health.
“People are more likely to stay indoors, eating unhealthy foods and being less active – neither of which is good for your heart health.”
The sudden transition from a state of being sedentary to avoid the cold into one of strenuous activity such as shoveling snow, clearing your car of ice, or walking in deep snow can also pose an increased risk by putting additional stress on the heart.
“Be aware of the dangers. If you’re at risk, take breaks and limit your time out in the cold. If you do start experiencing chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath, get help immediately,” advised Boileau.
The elderly, those with existing heart conditions, and people with other risk factors such as diabetes are especially vulnerable in the cold, making low temperatures not only dangerous but potentially life-threatening.
For more information about heart health & the treatment options available, visit bonsecours.com.
About Bon Secours St. Francis
Bon Secours St. Francis is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville provides compassionate medical care to thousands of area residents through Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside, as well as a network of primary and specialty care practices, and ambulatory care sites across the Greenville region. Consistent with its commitment to serve each patient with dignity, Bon Secours Mercy Health provides nearly $2 million per day in community benefit. The mission of Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit BonSecours.com.
