By Ajita Rijal

Kathmandu, Jan. 3: Winter is the season when people are more prone to get cold, cough and respiratory infections, and many risk groups are susceptible to suffering heart attack, brain stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, according to doctors.
Doctors say that a simple cough and cold can trigger a heart attack, particularly among the risk groups.
For example, if a person smokes and is suffering from asthma, s/he is prone to get infection. Such infection can trigger heart diseases.
Dr. Om Murti Anil, a senior cardiologist, said if the people with the prolonged medical history of having uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol, and history of heart attack were exposed to cold, they might suffer from heart problems.
The cold and cough infection is found causing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, and brain stroke among the people with medical history.
A drop in temperature generally thickens the blood, which increases blood pressure. According to Dr. Anil, a sharp drop in temperatures also causes blood vessels to narrow. “Due to this, hearts need to make a lot of efforts to force the blood through the narrow veins and arteries which increases the chance of blood clotting an uncontrolled blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke in winter,” said Anil.
According to cardiologists, the body produces several hormones like catecholamine, adrenaline and vasopressin to cope with the cold and keeping body warm, which increases the thickness of blood that eventually raises blood pressure, heartbeat and affects heart, brain and other vital organs.
During the winter season, people tend to eat more and stop physical activities, they consume more alcohol, cigarettes and oily foods which are another factors for the increasing risk of heart disease, added Anil.
“Due to these factors, people are at risk and one should take precautions and should protect from cold inside and outside their home and avoid the behaviours that may have adverse effect on health,” said Dr Anil.

Regular exercises and balanced diet
According to doctors, making excuses to skip physical exercise and regular walking on the pretext of cold weather should not be done at any cost. Most people skip their regular physical activities due to cold putting them at risk of having heart diseases, said Dr Anil.
The vulnerable groups also need to examine their blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes regularly and should maintain their weight.
One should change their walking and workout schedule. The best practice during the winter season is walking at the day time. Dr Anil suggests for decreasing the speed and increasing the duration while walking in the winter season. Though the early morning exercise and walking is not recommended during winter, one can manage any day time from 10 am to 2pm to undertake their exercises and walking.
Also, avoiding alcohol, smoking and exposure to pollution, consumption of heart-friendly diets, including food having more fibers, vegetables and fruits are the best remedies to heart problems.