Experts advise on how to stay heart healthy this winter
Anyone who’s heard Wham’s holiday hit “Last Christmas” knows it’s important to safeguard their heart around the holidays. But the danger isn’t just emotional. The winter months pose a number of heart health-related risks, especially for people who are already at risk for a cardiac-related event.
“If people already have heart disease or they have sort of risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure or history of stroke, they need to be aware that cold temperatures actually could trigger symptoms of heart attack,” says Dr. Anisiia Crowley, a cardiology expert and assistant professor of clinical at UC Health.
So, how to stay safe during the winter? The short version: Stay active and eat those holiday treats in moderation. Don’t take risks with your heart this season.
Safe Shoveling
Going outside to shovel snow? Be sure your heart can handle the exertion.
“Everyone knows the story of the person going outside who shovels snow that has a heart attack,” says Dr. Adam Raskin, a cardiovascular disease specialist at Mercy Health.
The story is common because it’s true, Raskin says. Shoveling snow in the cold is a tremendous strain on the heart—especially for people who haven’t been active throughout the year.
If you’re able to develop the habit of staying active, shoveling snow will be much safer. Doctors recommend getting at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity five days per week—but know that can be intimidating for people who don’t lead an active lifestyle already.
“Any activity is better than nothing,” Crowley says, “even if it’s 10 minutes, once a week. If people want to start small and take small steps, ultimately, they can build up to the recommended numbers.”
In the meantime, know your limits. If you don’t currently lead an active lifestyle, consider asking a friend or neighbor if they’ll help you out when it comes time to shovel snow. Your heart will thank you.
Curb the Carbs
Another problem with winter is the amount of delicious, unhealthy food and drink available. Good food is part of the joy of the holidays, but be conscious of your diet and enjoy those treats in moderation.
“Be a little bit more health conscious about your diet,” Raskin says. “People tend to slip during the winter months, but if you’re not going to be as active, just being a little bit more health conscious of what you’re consuming.”
Raskin says he tells patients their heart is like a car engine. If they’re just leaving it sitting in the driveway, it might seem like there’s nothing wrong. But when they go to hit the gas, it doesn’t go anywhere.
“How do we keep our engine healthy? Every 10,000 miles we get to check up, doesn’t matter what the weather is, that’s checking our oil, checking the gas, checking the engine,” Raskin says. “We do the same thing for the heart. Always come get checked out.”
