Winter can aggravate heart conditions, asthma: Experts

With the winter season already set in and the night temperature dipping sharply, asthmatic and heart patients are at a greater risk of falling sick if proper precautions are not taken. This was stated by health experts.

Doctors reported that the number of patients coming to city hospitals with breathing problems has increased. Cardiac patients must take ample precautions as cold can aggravate heart problems, they added.

The doctors said that fog and frost in the coming days could further add to troubles of these patients. They said a large number of viruses become active in the winter season, which lead to increase in infections.

Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said in the winter season, pollutant-mixed air comes down to the lower zone, which is also the breathing zone. With the fall in temperatures, patients start feeling heaviness in the chest and breathing becomes difficult, she said.

Chest specialist Dr Naresh Chawla said in the winter months, asthmatic patients are also at a higher risk as the immune system is depressed and hyper sensitivity of the airways is witnessed among patients. He said patients must consult a physician in case they feel any difficulty in breathing.

Health experts stated that at the outset of the winter season, children generally fall sick due to cold and flu. They said small children should be covered and well-clothed, especially in the mornings and evenings to save them from cold.

They said low temperature could result in decrease in blood supply to the heart and other vital organs and in turn can result in increase in blood pressure. They said the possibility of a heart attack increases in heart patients during the cold winter months as the heart has to work extra to pump blood.