Cold weather causes heart attacks

Scientific research has shown that heart attacks are most common during the winter months.

It is known that the heart works harder during winter months as body temperature drops. In order to maintain a high body temperature, the heart is forced to work more, which increases blood pressure and heart rate.

Cardiology Specialist Dr. Ahmet Taş stated that cold weather can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people with heart disease.

'COLD WEATHER TRIGGERS HEART ATTACKS'

Stating that as temperatures drop, heart attacks, chest pain, and pre-existing heart-related conditions can be seen more frequently, Taş said, "With cold weather, especially in winter months, the rate of infections in the body generally increases. During these periods, pneumonia and urinary tract infections increase, especially in patients in the older age group.

Cold weather can trigger cardiovascular blockages. More precisely, it can turn a pre-existing vascular blockage into a crisis. Therefore, cold weather can trigger heart attacks. We recommend that patients, especially those in the high-risk age group, avoid excessive exposure to cold in cold weather," he explained.

'PATIENTS WITH LOW RESISTANCE...'

Recommending that patients in the high-risk age group get the flu vaccine, Taş said, "Cold weather can also exacerbate heart failure. With cold weather, the frequency of infections increases in patients with low resistance, and these infections cause the patients' heart failure conditions to worsen.

We have to hospitalize heart failure patients more frequently, especially in the winter months. We strongly recommend that patients in the high-risk age group get their flu vaccines," he stated.