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We often welcome winter wholeheartedly especially for the pleasant mornings, warm clothing, and festive lights. Also, the cold season remains comfortable for a few individuals, but quietly surges the heart attack risk in winter for many people. Reports show a consistent rise in heart emergencies during this cold season. Simply, cold temperatures disturb the body in many physiological ways right from tightening blood vessels to hypertension and forcing the heart to work harder.
Being aware of the impact of cold weather on the heart is pivotal, notably for individuals with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, or a history of cardiac issues. Several hospitals across North India, like GS Super Speciality Hospital, recognised as the best hospitals in Delhi NCR, have witnessed a sudden rise in winter cardiac emergencies over the years.
Further, let’s dive deep into this comprehensive blog to know how cold weather affects heart health, why winter increases cardiac risks, and how to protect your heart in cold weather.
Cold weather will cause several effects on the body that will increase winter heart health risks. Further, let’s know how dropping of temperature impacts your body:
When being exposed in cold weather, the blood vessels in your skin, arms, and legs will get tightened to preserve the body heat. This narrowing is known as vasoconstriction, which causes:
For individuals with blocked arteries or hypertension, this added strain will result in chest pain, or in advanced cases, a heart attack.
Your heart should fastly pump to maintain the body’s warmth. Eventually, the demand for oxygen increases. For patients with coronary artery disease, this huge workload can trigger angina or cardiac arrest.
As per the studies, blood becomes thicker during winter due to dehydration, limited fluid intake, and increased production of clotting factors. Thicker blood flows slower, increasing the risk of:
Eventually, in elderly people the heart attack risk in winter will increase.
Individuals already being diagnosed with:
These individuals should remain more cautious during the winter season.
Pneumonia, flu, and viral infection are quite common in winter. This inflames blood vessels and reduces the oxygen levels. Reduced oxygen and increased inflammation surges the cardiac strain significantly.
Activities such as:
This adds more and abrupt pressure on the heart. Combined with cold-induced vasoconstriction, this abrupt stress triggers a heart attack.
Recognizing signs in the early period will assist in saving lives. Some of the warning signs include:
When experiencing any of the above listed symptoms, you should get immediate medical help. Hospitals with advanced facilities like GS Super Speciality Hospital, offer emergency cardiac support 24/7.
Further, let’s see how winter impairs heart health:
More heart attack cases are recorded in the early morning of the winter days. Inhaling the cold air will abruptly decrease the body temperature, which will stress your heart and will result in increased winter heart health risks.
Naturally blood pressure rises in the winter season. This prolonged elevation in winter will worsen the high blood pressure and surges the stroke risk.
Cold air decreases the body’s ability to efficiently pump blood. The heart works harder to compensate for this, but which may be harmful for individuals with weak heart muscles.
Typically, we will remain less active in cold temperatures. Further, a sedentary lifestyle increases cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure, all these factors increase the cardiac risk.
Winter temptations such as high-calorie foods, sweets, and oily items will increase cholesterol levels, which directly triggers heart disease.
Winter heart problems can affect anyone, but the following groups must be extra cautious:
Knowing how to identify risk factors early is important for prevention and timely treatment.
Even though winter increases cardiac risks, simple proactive measures can significantly improve heart safety.
Wear layers, cover your head, ears, hands, and especially your chest to prevent heat loss. Avoid stepping outdoors without warm clothing.
Schedule exercise between 10 AM to 5 PM, when the temperature is warmer. Morning cold air can constrict arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Include:
Avoid heavy, oily, sugary winter foods that increase cholesterol and weight.
Cold weather reduces thirst, but dehydration thickens the blood and stresses the heart.
Winter stress, holiday pressure, or loneliness increases the risk of heart disease. Practice meditation, breathing exercises, or seek professional counselling if needed.
Smoking is more dangerous in winter because cold air restricts blood supply. Alcohol, though “warming,” actually increases heat loss and can lead to hypothermia.
If you have existing cardiac issues, routine screening is essential. Hospitals like GS Super Speciality Hospital offer comprehensive cardiac evaluations, preventive care, and emergency treatment, making it a leading choice for heart patients in the region.
Avoid lifting heavy loads, running quickly, or shoveling snow. Sudden exertion in cold weather can trigger heart attacks.
Keep rooms well-heated with proper ventilation. Avoid overly cold showers or sleeping in low temperatures.
Winter fluctuations may worsen BP and blood sugar. Regular monitoring helps prevent emergencies.
This phenomenon is often linked to coronary artery spasms triggered by cold temperatures. For some, even mild cold exposure can constrict arteries so tightly that chest discomfort arises. Such chest pain might disappear in warmer seasons but is still a sign of reduced blood flow to the heart. These individuals must take winter precautions seriously.
Exercise indoors or in warm clothing, avoid sudden intense workouts, do warm-up sessions before activity, and stick to mid-day hours. Consistency is more important than intensity. People with heart conditions should consult doctors on how to protect your heart in cold weather through safe exercise routines.
You should seek immediate care if you experience:
Early intervention saves lives. In NCR, the Best Hospital in Delhi NCR, like GS Super Speciality Hospital, provides state-of-the-art cardiology care, emergency support, and advanced treatment facilities for winter-related cardiac issues.
Heart attacks spike between 4 AM and 10 AM during winter because the body releases more adrenaline in the early morning. This hormone increases heart rate and blood pressure. Combine this with winter vasoconstriction, and the result is a higher heart attack risk in winter. Cold air inhalation during early morning walks also causes sudden narrowing of coronary arteries, pushing vulnerable hearts into emergency mode.
Yes. Even healthy individuals may experience winter-related cardiac strain. Cold temperatures thicken the blood and increase blood pressure. Sudden, intense effort—like running, climbing stairs, or lifting heavy objects in cold weather—can shock even a healthy heart. While rare, such events are increasingly reported in colder climates. This is why doctors advise avoiding sudden exertion outdoors during peak winter hours.
Absolutely. Cold air irritates the airway and causes blood vessels in the lungs to constrict. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently and reduces oxygen delivery to the heart muscle. For people with asthma, COPD, or blocked arteries, this creates a dangerous combination. Understanding the impact of cold weather on the heart helps individuals take preventive steps such as covering the nose and mouth with a scarf.
Diabetics already have narrower and more fragile blood vessels due to chronic inflammation. Winter further tightens these vessels and can cause sudden blood pressure changes. Cold stress also raises blood sugar levels, adding extra strain on the heart. This is why diabetics should follow strict winter guidelines on how to protect your heart in cold weather—monitoring sugar levels, staying warm, and avoiding outdoor exposure early morning and late at night.
Yes. Winter often brings reduced sunlight exposure, which affects serotonin levels in the brain. Some people experience winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Emotional stress increases adrenal hormones that raise blood pressure and heart rate, thereby increasing winter heart health risks. A combination of cold temperature–induced physical stress and emotional stress multiplies cardiac risk.
People tend to drink less water in winter because they don’t feel thirsty. However, dehydration thickens blood, increases clot formation, and raises blood pressure—all harmful for the cardiovascular system. Thicker blood puts additional load on the heart and can contribute to stroke or heart attack. Regular hydration is a crucial but often ignored part of winter heart protection.
Surprisingly, yes. Studies reveal that LDL (“bad cholesterol”) tends to rise during winter. Cold weather slows metabolism and reduces physical activity, allowing cholesterol to accumulate. Higher cholesterol increases plaque buildup in arteries, adding to the heart attack risk in winter. This is why cholesterol checks are especially important between November and February.
Certain types of heaters reduce humidity levels drastically, drying out nasal passages and making breathing more difficult. Some heaters also emit carbon monoxide if the ventilation is poor. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen supply to the heart, potentially triggering chest pain or breathlessness. Heart patients should use heaters with proper ventilation and place bowls of water in the room to maintain moisture.
Yes. While blood pressure rises for everyone in winter, the impact is more severe in older adults due to already stiff or narrowed arteries. Young people may only experience mild increases, but smokers, diabetics, and overweight youth can experience sudden spikes. Older adults, however, face a significantly higher risk of stroke or heart attack due to cold-induced hypertension.
Definitely. Winter infections like flu, viral fever, and pneumonia increase inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can spread to blood vessels, causing plaque instability. If a plaque ruptures, it can block the artery and trigger a heart attack. That’s why flu vaccinations and timely treatment of winter infections are considered protective cardiac measures.