Winter brings unique heart attack hazards
A prescription to buy Canadian Plavix can help cardiac patients prevent a heart attack all year long.
A prescription to buy Canadian Plavix can help cardiac patients prevent a heart attack all year long. However, the winter season comes with unique hazards that can increase the likelihood of such an event.
"When the temperature outside drops, our blood vessels narrow to prevent our bodies from losing heat. This is a natural response that can also put people with heart conditions and those involved in strenuous exercise at greater risk of having a heart attack," said Holly Andersen, director of education and outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Andersen offered several tips for people who are physically active outdoors during the winter, whether they are shoveling snow or participating in seasonal sports.
Before going outside, it may be useful for people to perform warm-up exercises and stretches.
People need to remember to fight off the cold as much as they can. This may involve dressing in layers of windproof and waterproof clothing, and wearing a scarf around the head to warm the air that one inhales.
If possible, people should try pushing the snow with their shovel rather than lifting it, which is more strenuous. It's also important to take breaks or ask for assistance during this chore in order to allow the heart and muscles to relax.
Anyone with risk factors for a heart attack should ask their doctors if they're healthy enough to perform physical activities outdoors.
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