Studies suggest that cardiac issues more frequently result in severe outcomes during winter than in summer. A major paper published in The Lancet found that mortality from cardiovascular diseases was greater in the cold months compared to the warm ones. This concerned not extreme frost but typical seasonal cooling.
Low temperatures affect more than just the vessels in the skin and limbs. The same response involves the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with blood. If blood flow is already restricted, even a routine outdoor activity might be accompanied by a sensation of tightness or chest ache.
Cold causes blood vessels to narrow, causing blood pressure to rise faster. A review in the North American Journal of Medicine and Science notes that in winter, blood becomes thicker, and clotting is enhanced. This is linked to an increased hazard of clots, heart attack, and stroke.
A work published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health demonstrated that shortness of breath and chest pain occurred more often in individuals dwelling in areas with many frosty days and spending more time outdoors during the cold season. The authors attribute this to the increased strain on the heart and lungs at low temperatures.
It is also important that the effect of cold is not limited to a single day. After a cold spell, the risk of cardiovascular events stays elevated for several more weeks.
What symptoms should not be disregarded
Chest constriction or burning that appears or worsens in the cold when you go outside, or while walking.
Shortness of breath, if it wasn’t there before or only occurred with heavier exertion.
Sudden significant frailty that does not subside after rest and feels unusual.
Dizziness or cold clammy sweat, especially if they happen alongside chest discomfort or breathlessness.
When to seek urgent medical attention
Chest pain lasts longer than 15–20 minutes, intensifies, or does not lessen at rest.
Unpleasant sensations radiate to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back.
The condition suddenly deteriorates, and severe weakness sets in.
In such situations, it is vital not to wait for symptoms to vanish on their own, nor to attribute them solely to the cold weather.
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What helps lower the risk in winter
It is impossible to completely avoid the impact of the cold, but one can lessen the burden on the heart.
The American Heart Association advises dressing in layers: air gaps remain between garments, which retain warmth and help maintain a comfortable temperature longer. This mitigates the sharp reaction of blood vessels to the cold. It is especially crucial to protect the head, neck, hands, and feet, as the body loses warmth faster through them.
Movement supports heart wellness even during the cold season. It is better to opt for gentle walks, exercises at home, or in a fitness center. However, sudden and unfamiliar efforts in the frost, such as extensive snow removal or intense workouts, can be excessive stress for the heart.
In winter, arterial pressure readings frequently become higher, even if they were stable in summer. Therefore, it is beneficial to check blood pressure more often during the cold season.
Flu and other respiratory illnesses increase the load on the heart and sometimes become a trigger for a heart attack or stroke. Vaccination lowers the risk of severe illness progression and related cardiovascular complications.
Diet in winter also affects the state of blood vessels. In cold periods, people more often consume salty, fatty foods and drink alcohol, which causes blood pressure to rise against this backdrop. A balanced diet with vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains helps maintain vessel health and reduces risks for the heart.
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The main point: the heart’s workload increases in winter
Low temperatures cause vessel spasm, accelerate arterial pressure increases, and heighten blood viscosity. These alterations lead to chest ache, breathlessness, and other symptoms, especially with physical exertion outdoors. Warm layered attire, moderate activity, blood pressure monitoring, and infection prevention reduce hazards, but they do not substitute for consulting a physician if one’s well-being declines.
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