Why do heart attacks often occur in cold weather?

'Why do heart attacks often occur in cold weather? If I have atrial fibrillation, what should I pay attention to when the weather turns cold? Thank you, doctor!' (Thu Hong, in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City).

Dr. Ho Minh Tuan, Head of Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology, FV Hospital, replied: Hello! Weather changes that are too hot or too cold can increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and many other cardiovascular diseases.

When the weather gets cold, our heart rate and blood pressure tend to increase, and cold weather can also cause coronary artery spasm. These are factors that promote myocardial infarction.

Studies in Vietnam, Western countries and globally also show that cold weather increases cases of myocardial infarction.

Studies in Vietnam, Western countries and globally also show that cold weather increases the number of myocardial infarction cases. In addition, cold weather also makes patients less active and delay seeing a doctor... which are also favorable factors for the development of myocardial infarction.

Doctor Ho Minh Tuan said that patients with atrial fibrillation are at high risk of stroke, tachycardia and heart failure. Therefore, in cold weather, patients with atrial fibrillation need to comply with taking medication prescribed by their doctor and return for follow-up visits on time so that the doctor can check and adjust the dose of medication when necessary. In particular, if they experience symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, etc., patients with atrial fibrillation need to see a doctor immediately.

Dr. Minh Tuan noted that when the weather turns cold, people with underlying diseases need to keep their bodies warm, avoid sudden changes in temperature, maintain a light to moderate level of physical activity, follow treatment prescriptions, and return for medical check-ups on time.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-24-7-vi-sao-troi-lanh-hay-xay-ra-cac-ca-nhoi-mau-co-tim-185241223161224905.htm