Hyderabad: As the winter is setting in, incidents of deaths due to heart attacks are likely to increase, warn experts. More than seven lakh people died of sudden heart attacks annually in India, before the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, and the number must have gone much higher during the pandemic, according to medical experts.
As heart attacks are more during the winter season, elderly people with health complications, especially those who have risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and those who are smokers are at a higher risk.
Fitness enthusiasts who go out in the early hours for jogging and walking should be careful, as the fluctuation of temperature can be dangerous. It is also advised not to stand in balconies in the early morning hours as temperatures are usually dropped.
Dr. Pramod Kumar Kuchulakunti, a cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals, said, “As per the data available, 17.9 million deaths are reported annually, of which 85 per cent are due to heart disease. In the case of India, seven lakh people die each year because of sudden cardiac arrests. This data is before the Covid pandemic, the number must be much higher if the current statistics are out.”
“Whenever we are exposed to cooler weather, the arteries go spasm, as the body is mostly relaxed due to lack of physical activities. This is the major issue,” he said, adding, “Platelet activity is more during the early hours of the day in winter that increases chances of blood clotting.”
Dr J. Shivkumar, chief of cardiology at Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, said, “There has always been an increase of cardiac cases during winters. In the winter season, our bodies undergo physiological and biological adjustments. Increased blood pressure, restrictive blood flow and reduction of oxygen supply to the heart lead to heart attacks.”
“Those with the existing complications are advised to consult a physician and follow his guidance. It is better to avoid early morning Jogging and walking. In spite of this, they can have it when the temperature is moderate at around 8 am. Warm clothes are a must while going into the open. Smokers should be on a watch about their health condition. The elderly are strictly advised not to be exposed to the cold condition,” he suggested.
