Cold weather warning increases the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular complications

According to medical experts, a heart attack, also known as acute myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked, causing damage to heart muscle tissue. Myocardial infarction can occur suddenly, but there are cases that are warned in advance with typical signs such as recurrent angina, chest pain during physical activity, and pain that decreases when resting.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Nguyen Vinh, Director of the Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that heart stroke can occur at any age and in any weather of the year. However, the risk of heart stroke is higher in the cold season. Studies show that when the average temperature drops by 10 degrees Celsius, the risk of heart attack in the elderly increases by about 7%. People with a history of heart attack, heart disease or over 65 years old are more susceptible to cold weather than other groups.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Nguyen Vinh explained that on cold days, the body is susceptible to hypothermia (body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius), causing the heart to work harder to maintain a stable body temperature, which can easily worsen cardiovascular disease if not properly cared for. In addition, studies have shown that a drop in temperature can increase the concentration of fibrinogen - the main protein involved in blood clot formation leading to myocardial infarction.

In addition, cold weather also makes the elderly susceptible to infectious diseases, the most common of which is influenza. This is a disease caused by a virus, which can lead to dangerous health problems, including heart failure and myocardial infarction.

To prevent heart stroke and cardiovascular complications in the cold season, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Nguyen Vinh recommends that people need to keep their bodies warm, eat enough nutrients to increase resistance, avoid strenuous exercise, do not smoke, limit alcohol, monitor blood pressure, and treat underlying diseases well. The elderly, especially those with heart disease or risk factors, need to be vaccinated against influenza, pneumonia, whooping cough, and diphtheria.

Along with getting fully vaccinated and keeping warm, the elderly should avoid contact with people with infectious diseases, supplement with vitamin C and other nutrients, wear masks when going out, and limit strenuous exercise to avoid sweating which can cause dehydration.