What’s the Deal with Cold Weather and Heart Attacks?

Hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, chilblains—without preparation and proper equipment, these cold-weather injuries can take down anyone, no pre-existing condition required. What we’ve learned recently about exposure to extreme weather adds yet another layer of caution when outdoors in these conditions: without proper protection from cold and heat, extreme weather tends to increase cases of heart attacks worldwide.

Here’s what we know for now.

Last December, the journal Circulation published a 40-year study that captured the attention of the cardiovascular health field and patients around the world. From 1979-2019, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health studied more than 32 million deaths related to cardiovascular disease in 27 countries. With this data, researchers analyzed heart disease-related deaths on the hottest and coldest 2.5% of days, and compared them with cardiovascular deaths on days with optimal temperatures. Here’s what they found:

• For every 1,000 cardiovascular deaths, there were 2.2 more deaths on days with the most extreme heat temperatures, and 9.1 more deaths on days with the most extreme cold temperatures.
• Extreme hot and cold temperatures were associated with increased risk of death from any cardiovascular cause, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.

However, there is room to consider established climate in the mix, according to the authors: “There is evidence that people can adapt, at least partially, to the temperatures that they are used to experiencing. Therefore, the impact of a given extreme temperature event on human health can depend on where and when it occurs.”

This is not the first study pointing to a relationship between extreme temperatures and heart functionality. One similar 2018 study from Sweden published results indicating a high incidence of heart attack on days with:

• Low air temperature
• Low atmospheric air pressure
• High wind velocity
• Shorter sunshine duration

Make a point to be prepared for extreme weather conditions when possible.

As we begin to experience more occurrences of unusual and intense weather events, exposure to these extremes can catch people unprepared and vulnerable to sudden cardiovascular illnesses and death.

According to the Cleveland Heart Lab, following these precautions increases the chance of getting through winter thoroughly thawed out.

• Get a flu shot every year.
• If you are aged 65 or over, ask for a vaccine for pneumonia.
• Wash your hands Plain soap and water will do the trick.
• Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Research shows people who get enough sleep have fewer colds and better immunity from illness.
• Don’t smoke.
• Reallocate time from sitting down activities to physical activities.

And, they add, if you need to dig out after a snowfall (or perform any strenuous activity in the cold), protect yourself with these steps, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

• Don’t push yourself too hard. Take your time. If you feel your body beginning to get tired, go inside. Rest for a little bit.
• Make the chore manageable. Try not to tackle the entire chore all at once. Instead, it’s smarter to divide up the work and take frequent breaks.
• Treat shoveling like you would any other sport or exercise. Stay warm (don’t forget to dress appropriately) and hydrate while shoveling snow. It’s critical.
• Pay careful attention to how you feel both before and after shoveling. If you or a loved one begins to show signs of heart trouble, or has trouble breathing after shoveling snow, call 911 immediately and seek medical care. If you’re not sure, it’s better to get it checked out.
• Know when it’s best to skip it altogether. If you have more than one medical condition, especially coronary artery disease or hypertension, or are over the age of 55, it’s best to get someone else to shovel for you, according to Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Luke Laffin. It’s simply not worth the risk.

Research published in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal, Circulation, suggests another proactive approach to preventing cardiovascular deaths during temperature extremes: “Targeted warning systems and advice for vulnerable people.”

In the spirit of this advice, if you can think of someone dear to your heart who may benefit from this information, spread the news!

Care Coordination is Here to Help

Your Healthcare Highways Health Plan may cover care coordination services to help qualified members living with chronic conditions but also any qualified member who wants help improving their heart health.

If you are a health plan member and would like to learn more about care coordination benefits, call us! Our Customer Experience Advocates team will help you find out if you qualify for this no-cost personalized service and connect you with the care you need. Check your Healthcare Highways Health Plan ID card for your Customer Experience Advocate team's phone number, or reach out online. We'll take it from there!