The doctor told about the danger of cold for the heart

In the autumn-winter period, acute respiratory viral infections and other seasonal viral infections can provoke arrhythmia. On February 28, Azamat Baymukanov, a cardiologist and Candidate of medical Sciences, told Izvestia about the danger of cold for the cardiovascular system.

According to him, at low temperatures, chronic diseases can worsen in humans. Thus, cold is most dangerous for people with arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease.

"The third group of patients for whom cold is dangerous are patients with cardiac arrhythmias, primarily with atrial fibrillation, as this is the most common cardiac arrhythmia today. Such patients, of course, also suffer from low temperatures. The mechanism is basically the same: due to vasoconstriction, the load on the cardiovascular system increases and the work of the heart becomes more difficult," the doctor said.

Baymukanov warned that the main danger lies in the fact that patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, as a rule, are already on supportive drug therapy. He noted that it may lose its effectiveness over time, including against the background of changes in weather conditions. In this regard, it is important to be regularly monitored by a doctor, the expert emphasized.

To support the cardiovascular system in the cold, it is necessary to dress according to the weather, keep the whole body warm, especially the neck, head and limbs, to avoid vasoconstriction, he advised. In addition, the doctor noted, it is important not to forget to monitor blood pressure, measure it regularly, do not skip medications and avoid sudden physical overloads.

"However, it is important to keep in mind reasonable physical activity. No one rules out exercising and walking in the fresh air, but the main thing is to avoid hypothermia. The basic recommendation is to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipid profile, including low—density lipoprotein levels, as well as total cholesterol," Baimukanov recommended.

On February 9, Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, an expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about the danger of hypertension. According to her, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke, as well as provoke pulmonary edema and heart failure. According to statistics, hypertension is diagnosed in almost half of adults. Up to 60% of elderly people over the age of 60 also face this problem, the doctor emphasized.