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Be careful in cold and snow, Claxton-Hepburn warns

Posted 2/9/11

OGDENSBURG -- February is National Heart Month, and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center wants people to know how cold weather can affect your heart, especially if you have cardiovascular disease. …

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Be careful in cold and snow, Claxton-Hepburn warns

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- February is National Heart Month, and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center wants people to know how cold weather can affect your heart, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for half of all deaths in developed countries. Highest levels occur during colder winter months due to a decrease in temperature. In many studies heavy snow was connected with sudden death, due to snow shoveling, and mostly in men probably who did not ordinarily exercise.

In the North Country, winter peaks in deaths have been blamed on cold, snow shoveling, changing temperatures and air pressure. Cold weather can suddenly boost blood pressure. The cold increases the heart’s oxygen demand and increases blood pressure and blood volume. Additionally, the heart’s oxygen supply may be restricted due to artery constriction or blockage. Long term exposure to cold weather increases coronary artery disease by increasing blood pressure, blood concentration of bad cholesterol and stress hormones. In addition there is an increase in blood clotting platelets and, added to all this, is an increase in respiratory infections.

People with dilated and weakened hearts may not be able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body while it is engaged in activities such as snow shoveling or even walking for an extended period of time.

“Doctors do not recommend snow shoveling because it is episodic, involves upper extremities, and it is done in cold with arm and back muscles that are not typically well conditioned,” says Dr. Bansi Bazaz, co-director of Claxton-Hepburn’s cardiology lab along with Dr. Geetanjli Sangwan. “Somehow men do not know when to stop until the last flake is out of the way. As it is correctly said, testosterone has no place on the driveway”