How to avoid heart attack in winter? Do not let the BP rate exceed this

Given that Indians have several co-morbidities – obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, genetic history – that can increase your blood pressure, they need to keep the readings within this range or even lower.

When it’s cold, your body constricts blood vessels to maintain your body temperature. This makes your heart work harder to pump blood, which can increase the risk of heart attack.

The holidays can be stressful, including disruption of routine, excessive drinking, and less sleep. Stress can also increase the risk of heart attack.

Winter tasks like snow shoveling can increase the risk of heart attack, especially for people who already have heart disease. There is less sunlight in winter, which can lead to Vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to inflammation of the arteries.

The winter holidays often include more unhealthy foods like sugar, fat, and alcohol. Cortisone levels fluctuate with temperature, which can cause platelets to become stickier and clot more easily.

Chest pain due to angina, or coronary heart disease, can become worse in winter. If you feel any of the following symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.