Treat Your Heart Right This Winter with These 7 Health Tips

Updated on December 18, 2020

During winter, temperatures can drop to freezing levels. Individuals, especially people with pre-existing conditions, should take extra precautions to protect their hearts. According to a report from Medical Xpress, colder weather may increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.

Staying healthy and strong, therefore, is important to protect your heart and reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular problems.

Here are seven health suggestions you could take to protect your heart during the cold season:

Performing strenuous activities, such as removing snow from your property, burdens the heart. Inhaling cold or freezing air further raises the workload.

Before you get down to work, take five to ten minutes of your time to do some warm-up exercises, such as stretching and slow walks. Doing warm-ups helps minimize the strain on your heart and reduce the likelihood of sustaining an injury.

If you need to go outdoors for an errand or work, you’ll need to dress appropriately to stay warm. This means putting on the following:

If you’re feeling tired or out of breath from doing chores, take breaks and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As an added precaution, consider reducing your workload or asking a family member or friend to help you with your day-to-day tasks.

The coronavirus isn’t the only thing you should be worried about this winter. You should also take steps to prevent getting influenza or seasonal flu. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the flu has been associated with higher incidences of stroke and heart attack.

Minimize your risk of getting influenza by obtaining a flu shot every year. Get in touch with your health care provider for further details about getting your vaccination.

The flurry of activities during the holiday season can make people forget to take their meds. Other times, the inclement weather makes obtaining the required medications from a pharmacy more difficult.

Don’t let the wintry weather or the busyness of the season stop you from taking your prescriptions. If you need to take maintenance meds for your heart, set reminders and stock up in case of a dreaded winter storm. If you need to travel, make sure you pack your medications in a carry-on bag and bring extras in the event of unforeseen delays.

Overindulging can happen during the holidays. Although mince pies, Christmas pudding and gingerbread cookies are ok to eat once in a while, you should fuel your body with the right food to keep your heart and the rest of your body healthy.

If you don’t want to pack on the pounds during the holidays, consider eating low-carb pasta dishes or munching on fresh fruits and veggies. Also, cook your meals at home rather than order takeaway during Christmas time. This is a much better option for your physical health – and your bank account.

Spending more time indoors could make you feel sad. When you’re feeling low or lonely this cold season, get in touch with your friends and family. Give them a call or do virtual meet-ups via Zoom or Facebook.

You could also take 15 minutes a day doing transcendental meditation. This involves sitting in a comfortable position, closing your eyes and silently repeating a mantra.

Be kind to your heart. Keep these seven tips in mind to prevent the cold season from negatively affecting your health.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.