Chen Xiu, chief physician of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Rocket Army General Hospital, said: In winter, to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, our hearts must pass the “5 hurdles” in the cold winter.
Temperature
Studies have shown that in the cold winter season, heart attacks are two or three times higher than in other seasons. Due to the large temperature difference between indoor and outdoor and the dry climate, people’s physiological functions are relatively slow and often under stress, which increases the load on the heart. For people with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it can cause spasm of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, making the blood vessels that were originally narrowed by atherosclerosis more narrow, or even occlusion, plaque rupture, and angina or myocardial infarction. Therefore, people with cardiovascular disease must pay attention to keep warm, especially the head, hands, and feet. Wear gloves, hats, scarves, and coats when going out. Scald your feet with hot water before going to bed, put on clothes when you go to the bathroom at night, put hot water in the shower, and take off your clothes after the water temperature is right. Do not walk in the wind when the wind is cooling down.
Sleep hump
High-quality sleep is equivalent to sufficient power to the heart, and 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is the most beneficial to health. A survey in the United States shows that too long or too short sleep will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease: people who sleep less than 6.5 hours a day have a 15% increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and a 23% increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease; People who sleep more than 9 hours and have poor sleep quality have a 63% increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Breathing hump
Respiratory tract infections occur frequently in winter, leading to a decrease in the oxygen exchange capacity of lung tissues, which can easily induce acute myocardial infarction and sudden death.
Drug regulation
The blood vessels follow the principle of “heat expansion and contraction”. When the weather becomes cold, the blood vessels will contract more obviously, which will cause blood pressure to rise and fluctuate significantly. The original drug dosage may not necessarily control and manage blood pressure. Therefore, when the weather changes drastically, people with cardiovascular disease must not only take medications on time and standardize, but also adjust their medications under the guidance of doctors according to climate changes. Do not adjust the dosage and type of medications at home to avoid accidents.
Exercise
Persistent exercise can improve heart function. Don’t lie still because of the cold weather. People with poor heart function should exercise after the sun is out. The exercise intensity should be appropriate and the time should be controlled within 1 hour. It is best to choose exercises such as walking, jogging, and Tai Chi. It is best not to go out to exercise in the weather with strong wind and cooling, and you can take appropriate activities indoors.
