Hyderabad: The sudden dip in temperature has seen a 25 per cent increase in heart attack cases in the last one week in the city, stated cardiologists who explained that the phenomenon is due to narrowing of blood vessels.
Those who are not used to severe cold conditions are affected. Apart from external factors, the underlying conditions of coronary artery disease, unidentified blockages and co-morbid conditions also lead to the condition, stated cardiologists.
Dr A. Sai Ravishanker, senior member of the Cardiology Society of India explained, “The months from October to February are medically marked as a period where there is a slight increase in the cases of heart attacks when compared to other months in the year. One of the factors is the cold which leads to a condition called vasoconstriction where lower temperatures cause blood vessels to narrow. In this condition, the heart works harder to move blood throughout the body. Cold weather is also found to increase blood pressure and heart rate. These are some reasons we see more patients in the winter months.”
Cardiologists state that this year, in the first week of January and post January 15, there have been people who have been rushed to the emergency section for a heart attack. Dr M.S.S. Mukherjee, senior cardiologist explained, “The decrease of oxygen supply to the heart causes these changes and leads to a heart attack. But to prove it is very difficult as there are other causes too which can’t be pinpointed.”
Experts state that those suffering from heart problems, cancer, have undergone transplants and immune compromised like senior citizens must be careful during cold conditions. They must avoid alcohol and coffee as it increases the heart rate and also blood pressure.
Alcohol increases the person’s sensation of warmth and it makes them underestimate the extra strain their body suffers during the cold, explained Dr Ravishanker.
