Here Are 7 Things You Can Do To Take Care Of Your Heart This Winter

Studies suggest that long-term air pollution is linked to a higher risk of heart problems like heart failure.

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First, let's understand what exactly heart failure is.

Dr. Vishal Rastogi, Director, Heart Failure Program, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute tells us, "Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart cannot pump or receive enough blood, which means that it must work harder to deliver blood to the body. In fact, the term heart failure is misleading, because the heart doesn't completely fail or stop."

The most common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and feet, fatigue, elevated heart rate, weakness and giddiness.

If the condition is treated early, it can be reversed. Unfortunately, once it is fully established, the problem progresses relentlessly and may lead to fatal outcomes. With medications and lifestyle modifications that include proper diet and exercise, patients can remain stable for a long period of time.

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Cold weather increases the risk of heart failure for many reasons.

Dr. Rastogi elaborates, "Patients are prone to episodes of worsening symptoms that require hospitalisation(s). This worsening is most commonly caused by infections (chest infections), arrhythmia (atrial or ventricular), excess salt or water intake, abuse of certain drugs and medications (pain killers or alcohol) or declining kidney function. The aim of long-term treatment is to prevent these acute exacerbations, as each episode can be potentially life threatening. As the weather becomes colder, we see a surge in hospitalisation related to heart failure." Here¡¯s why:

? Due to the cold, smog and pollution settle on the ground, leading to chest infections and breathing problems.
? In winter, blood pressure rises and coronary arteries shrink, leading to the lack of blood supply.
? People sweat less in winter, so the extra fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to heart failure.
? Various respiratory infections are more common during this season.

Here are 7 things you can do to take care of your heart this winter.

1. Reduce your intake of salt and water, since you won¡¯t lose much fluid to sweating.

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2. Check your blood pressure regularly and get it treated if it¡¯s high.

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3. Continue to exercise regularly, but make it a point to modify your timings to avoid extreme weather.

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4. Get influenza and pneumonia vaccines before the onset of the season to prevent chest infections.

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5. If you have any symptoms of an infection, get yourself checked and treated immediately.

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6. Don't skip your prescribed medications, even if you¡¯re feeling better. Report any side effects to your doctor immediately.

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7. Keep an eye on your weight and urine output.

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If your urine output is consistently low it means that fluid is getting accumulated in your lungs and will soon result in heart failure. Another way to keep a tab on this is to record your weight every day. If you gain 2 kgs in three days, it means that you are retaining fluid and you should consult your doctor.

Cover image via Indian Express.

This article was originally published in Times of India.