{"id":12763,"date":"2026-02-01T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=12763"},"modified":"2026-01-30T21:34:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:34:07","slug":"how-does-winter-weather-increase-your-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/how-does-winter-weather-increase-your-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Winter Weather Increase Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As we get deeper into this winter season, extreme, record-low cold temperatures have brought snow and frigid winds with them. These conditions can severely affect your heart, especially if you already suffer from or are at risk of cardiovascular disease. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cold temperatures affect the heart by causing blood vessels to constrict, which is the body\u2019s natural reaction to send blood deeper into the body. This doesn\u2019t cause problems for those with healthy arteries. However, if someone has arteries that were narrowed by fatty plaque, cold-related blood vessel constriction can leave them more vulnerable to chest pain or a heart attack. This is especially true when engaging in a strenuous outdoor activity such as walking quickly in a strong wind or shoveling snow, which can commonly trigger a heart attack.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Strenuous outdoor activity in cold weather isn\u2019t the only thing that can put the heart at risk. Cold temperatures also increase the risk of suffering from hypothermia. Hypothermia means the body\u2019s temperature has fallen below 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 degrees Celsius, and the body can\u2019t produce enough energy to keep its temperature warm enough. Cold-related blood vessel constriction keeps vital organs warm and helps reduce heat loss. If a person has narrowed blood vessels, the heart must work harder to pump blood through the body, which then raises blood pressure and puts stress on the heart. Hypothermia has several symptoms, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n