Staying Safe in Cold Weather with Heart Disease

When the temperature drops, many of us reach for cozy sweaters and warm drinks. But for people living with heart disease, winter weather can bring more than just a chill it can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events. The cold may seem harmless, but it places extra demands on your heart, which can be dangerous if you have underlying heart conditions.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your heart when it’s cold outside.

How Cold Weather Affects the Heart

Cold temperatures force the body to work harder to maintain its core temperature. This leads to blood vessel constriction, which raises blood pressure and increases the workload on the heart. For someone with coronary artery disease (CAD), where the arteries are already narrowed by plaque, this can be enough to trigger angina or even a heart attack.

In people with heart failure, sudden drops in temperature can cause a rapid worsening of symptoms, and have been linked to higher rates of hospitalizations and mortality. In fact, research shows that cardiovascular deaths increase by up to 15% during the winter months, even in regions with milder climates.

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Heart Disease

Protecting your heart during cold weather is largely about planning and awareness. These precautions can help you stay safe:

• Limit exposure to the cold. Try to stay indoors during extremely cold days. When you must go out, wear several layers of warm clothing, including gloves, a hat, and thermal socks. Heat escapes fastest from the head and hands.

• Avoid overexertion. Snow shoveling is one of the most dangerous activities for people with heart disease. It combines cold exposure with intense physical effort. If you must clear snow, only do so when there's a light layer (one inch or less), use a small shovel, and push rather than lift. Ideally, ask someone else to handle this task.

• Be mindful of hidden exertion. Even brisk walking in cold wind can put a surprising strain on your heart. Go slowly and monitor how you're feeling, especially if you experience chest discomfort or unusual fatigue.

• Prevent overheating. Wearing too many layers during physical activity can lead to sweating, which may seem harmless but can cause sudden dilation of blood vessels. For someone with heart disease, this rapid shift in blood pressure can trigger dizziness or fainting. If you're sweating while out in the cold, head indoors.

• Get vaccinated. Cold weather also brings flu season. For those with heart disease, catching the flu can lead to serious complications. According to the CDC, people with heart disease are six times more likely to suffer a heart attack in the week following a flu diagnosis. Getting your annual flu shot is a crucial part of winter wellness.

• Skip the alcohol before going outside. While it may make you feel warm, alcohol causes your blood vessels to expand, drawing heat away from your core. This increases your risk of hypothermia and puts more pressure on your cardiovascular system.

Know When to Call for Help

If you have heart disease, any new or worsening symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or extreme fatigue should never be ignored, especially in cold weather. Don’t wait to see if it passes. Early treatment saves lives.

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