The harsh winter months have finally arrived. Chilly weather in winter often limits our daily activities and makes our lifestyle more sedentary. However, before it happens, particularly it is essential to focus on heart health in winter. Colder winter months elevate the risk of heart issues such as heart attack or myocardial infarction and can result in sudden death due to cardiac arrest. Henceforth, it becomes important to take preventive measures to maintain heart health, especially in winter.
In winter months, high blood pressure or hypertension is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. Therefore, people should regularly monitor their blood pressure, which helps in the early diagnosis of any health conditions and timely intervention. Devices such as smartwatches with BP trackers, an aneroid monitor, and digital monitors can help in the daily monitoring of blood pressure. In winter, the odds of infectious disease also increase. Hence, it is recommended to get influenza and pneumonia vaccines to keep chest infections at bay. Furthermore, people suffering from heart issues should adhere to their recommended medications to protect their heart health. People should wear warm clothes such as woolen clothes, gloves, and jackets in the winter season to stay warm. Wearing warm clothes eases the odds of catching infections and eventually reduces the risk of heart conditions.
People should opt for indoor exercises to avoid harsh weather conditions in winter. Regular physical exercise is vital in the winter months to enhance heart health. People should include heart-healthy nutrients in their diet. People should incorporate lean proteins, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables, which contain nutrients that promote cardiovascular health and help manage cholesterol levels. People must limit their salt consumption in winter as too much salt intake can cause hypertension. In winter, people should have warm beverages such as soups, and herbal teas to stay hydrated, they improve the pumping efficiency of the heart and sustain blood viscosity and volume. Colder months of winter can cause additional stressors that can adversely affect heart health causing hypertension and elevated risk of heart ailments. People should opt for stress management practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga.