A study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine finds heart attacks are most common in the winter. When temperatures drop, your heart works harder to keep you warm. Shoveling, trudging through wet snow add to the strain. Take these extra precautions, especially if you already have heart disease.
• Get a flu shot. The combination of winter weather and influenza can increase your risk of being hospitalized with a heart attack.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before going outdoors. Its warm sensations can mask the dangerous effects of cold weather.
• If you’re shoveling, warm up before you head outside. Then, use a small shovel and take frequent breaks. If you have heart troubles, consider using a snow blower.
• Know the warning signs of a heart attack, including chest pain, weakness and nausea. Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one experiences them.
Source: Good Neighbor Pharmacy Connection, February 2013
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