Why Heart Problems Increase in Winter? 10 Reasons You Should Not Ignore

The winter season is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. The long cozy nights, the warm bonfire evenings, the chatpate bhutta(corn), sipping hot chocolate drinks, all of this adds a charm to winter. But along with all these cozy vibes comes the challenges of health-related issues. Research says that the problems related to heart health increase the most at the time of winter, which is one of the biggest concerns during winter seasons, and in this article, we will understand the reason behind it, that why do heart problems increase in winter.

The causes of Heart Problems include various reasons

1- The coldness during winter makes the blood vessels tight

The first and foremost reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is that the coldness during winter makes the blood vessels tight. As the external temperature drops, it makes the blood vessels narrower to prepare a way to save the body's heat and keep the body warm and to maintain the right internal temperature of the body.

Now, when the blood vessels that has become narrow, it leaves lesser space for blood to flow. Narrow blood vessels cause high blood pressure, much pressure on the heart, higher possibilities of chest pain and very increased risk of heart attack.

2- During winter, the blood pressure increases

The second reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is that blood pressure increases during the time of winter season. Blood pressure is interrelated with the heart because when blood pressure increases, it puts the heart under much stress. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks and heart strokes. It is caused because, due to coldness, the activeness and productivity of most of people decreases, the cold breezy air tightens the blood vessels, there is lack of sunlight and more of stress.

3- Decreased physical activity during winter

The third reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is that physical activity decreases during winter season. In the season of winter, you will likely find most of people staying indoors. The people who used to do regular exercises on a daily basis, opts for doing exercise once or twice a week, they consider using a heater and staying indoors to be saved from coldness and cold infections.

Because of this, physical activity becomes very less which leads to gaining of body weight, an increase of cholesterol, the body stiffens and poor flow of blood throughout the body. All these conditions directly affect heart health because exercise helps in maintaining a healthy heart but decreased physical activity weakens the heart.

4- In winter, foods are heavier and fattier

The fourth reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is that in winter, foods are heavier and fattier. Winter is a season of comfort foods as in the winter season, people eat food of their favourite choices, often deep fried, oily, and spicy foods. Along with the winter season comes the festive and wedding season, which also adds on to fast foods treats.

All such heavier eating leads to an increase the cholesterol, gaining of body weight, creating fat deposits in arteries and an increase in blood sugar. All these conditions further lead to the increased risk of heart attack because heavier eating of fast or junk foods causes fat blocks the arteries.

5- Increase in the risk of viral infections

The fifth reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is due to the increased risk of viral infections. Due to the intense coldness of winter seasons, viral infections like cold fever, sinus congestion, sore throat, cough and flu. After getting diagnosed with these infections, the body and the immune system fight against these infections to resist from them so when the body fights, the functioning of the heart increases more than usual which leads to affecting the heart function and the heart health as well.

6- Lower vitamin D levels

The sixth reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is because it lowers vitamin D levels during winters. The rays of sunlight as compared to other seasons, are more scorching than the sunlight of winter since rays of sunlight are weaker in winter season, which is also one of the reasons why people spend lesser time outdoors and more time in staying indoors. Because of this, the body is not able to receive the proper amount of vitamin D. Low vitamin D leads to increase of blood pressure, inflammation, weakening the heart muscles, deterioration of the immune system and poor immunity.

7- Dehydration during winter

The seventh reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is because of the occurrence of dehydration during winters. Mostly people out there believe that dehydration is generally and only caused during summer seasons but this fact is not accurate. Since in winter, people feel less thirty, drink less water and mechanically the body loses water through inhaling and breathing in the cold air. Now, less water intake leads to dehydration and dehydration leads to making the blood thicker which puts much pressure on the heart and can lead to the risks of heart attacks or heart strokes.

8- Temperature drops during early mornings of winter

The eighth reason being of why heartproblems increase in winter is because temperature drops during early mornings of winters. Research says that most of the cases of heart attacks that occur during winter take place in the early morning. Because in the early morning, it is too cold, the body temperature drops, blood pressure rises suddenly and rapidly, leading to an increase of heart rate due to cold shock. Also, the sudden exposure of the heart to the cold breeze can strain the heart.

9- Blood clots, chances are very high

The ninth reason being of why heart problems increase in winter is that there are higher chances of blood clots. The cold weather during the winter season, leads to an increase in the stickiness of blood, which further leads to easily clotting of the blood. Blood clots directly block the arteries, which stops the flow of blood to the heart, which can consequently result in getting a heart stroke or a heart attack.

10- Winter blues and emotional stress

The tenth and last reason being of why do heart problems increase in winter is because of experiencing the winter blues. Winter blues is found common nowadays. Basically, winter blues is a mild mood dip, that is, a temporary feeling of sadness occurring during the few of the coldest and darkest months of the year. Winter blues are categorised as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This winter blues causes emotional stress and stress releases certain hormones which increases the blood pressure, leading the heart pump harder.

Taking a smaller step in understanding all these reasons will lead to a bigger step of protecting your heart health which is very essential so make sure to keep your body warm and also ensure doing regular exercises to keep yourself and your heart absolutely healthy even in winter season.

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