ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan is known for all four seasons -- sometimes all on the same day, but big swings in temperature and conditions don’t just make it difficult to dress properly, it can also impact your health.
People with chronic breathing problems often have trouble with dramatic weather changes, but many don’t realize these sudden shifts can also be hard on our hearts. With our weather all over the map, it’s important to know what’s coming in order to be prepared.
People with cardiac conditions are at an increased risk of death during extreme heat events. That’s because your heart rate increases and there’s more risk of inflammation and blood clots, but rapidly changing weather is also hazardous.
“So compared to days when the temperature remains high, days in which there are wider swings, the risk of death increases even further than would be expected if your temperatures were to remain constant,” said Dr. Hitinder Gurm, a cardiologist and CMO at University of Michigan Health.
Gurm said unexpected cold or sudden drops in temperature can also increase the risk of heart attack.
“Any patient who has cardiac disease should listen to the weather forecast. It’s very important to pay attention to what is anticipated and prepare for it appropriately,” Gurm said. “If there’s going to be a cold snap, make sure you’re warmly dressed. If there’s going to be a heat event, make sure you have access to fluids and other measures that can help reduce the risk of the heat.”
Getting better control of your health, in general, can also improve your ability to weather whatever mother nature throws our way.
“That means make sure your blood pressure is under control, your cholesterol is under control, you’re on the right medication, and you get regular exercise,” Gurm said.
Regardless of the weather, the symptoms of a heart attack can include any sudden chest pain, pain that’s going down your arm, pain in the jaw, a sense of doom or feeling unwell when you have no real explanation for that. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 and get to the emergency room.
When it’s really cold out, even something as simple as pulling a scarf up over your mouth and nose can warm the air you’re breathing in. Knowing what to expect in a day and adapting to it can make a difference, especially in people already dealing with heart disease.