Sudden Cold Dangerous for Heart Patients

Cold often means a great challenge for the organism. For the heart in particular, the low temperatures can represent a dangerous additional burden. The German Heart Foundation therefore calls on people to see a doctor immediately if they experience warning signs such as chest pain. In addition, people who already suffer from heart disease should strictly avoid extreme exertion on cold days, such as shoveling snow.

Physical overexertion in low temperatures

Although no one should generally refrain from sports activities in winter, it is nevertheless important to take into account some tips, especially in cold weather. First and foremost, warning signs that indicate heart problems should be taken seriously. “Anyone who feels pain, pressure or a burning sensation in the chest when going out into the cold must definitely become alert and have the complaints clarified by a doctor immediately,” warns the chairman of the German Heart Foundation Professor Dr. med. Hans-Jürgen Becker. “Not infrequently, however, such alarm signals are carelessly pushed onto the bronchial tubes or otherwise trivialized,” as the cardiologist adds. The consequences are often fatal. Because such discomfort in the chest can indicate a deficient oxygen supply to the heart and thus represent harbingers of a heart attack.

Existing heart disease – special caution

Special caution is needed if heart disease is already present. “For example, people with calcifications of the coronary arteries should refrain from high exertion such as snow shoveling in extreme cold,” says Prof. Becker, who points out that the additional cold stress can quickly overtax a pre-damaged heart and, in extreme cases, can even lead to a heart attack or sudden cardiac death.

How should you act?

In principle, however, the German Heart Foundation advises to get enough exercise even in winter. However, instead of choosing activities with high loads, one should prefer less strenuous sports. For example, extended winter walks, walking units or shorter jogging rounds are suitable. You should start slowly at first so that your body can adjust to the cold. If it’s extremely cold, it’s a good idea to move your exercise to the gym or swim a few laps in the local indoor pool. As a rule of thumb, it has proven to choose the intensity so that the pulse increases, but a conversation is still well possible.

Heart attack: every minute counts!

If severe pain occurs in the chest, often radiating to the arms, shoulder blades, abdomen, neck or lower jaw, or a massive feeling of tightness, one must immediately think of a heart attack. Nothing is then more important than to call the emergency number 112 immediately. Urgency is called for because life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, known as ventricular fibrillation, often occur during a heart attack, especially in the early stages. “Without immediate medical action, this leads to death in a few minutes,” says Professor Becker, MD. In addition, more and more heart tissue dies if the underlying blockage of the coronary vessel is not removed immediately – preferably with a catheter procedure that makes the vessel pervious again. This can limit the damage and preserve the affected person’s ability to function.

Call emergency 112, not your family doctor!

However, it is important not only to ensure an immediate emergency call, but also to call the right place. Instead of dialing 112, many first try to reach the family doctor. “However, this wastes vital time,” emphasizes Prof. Becker.