JAMMU: Struggling through brutal winter weather could make your heart ache. Cold weather causes your blood vessels to constrict, raising your blood pressure and increasing your risk of death from heart disease and stroke.
This was stated by Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology in Government Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital (GMC and SSH) while interacting with people during a cardiac care camp in Government Primary School (GPS) Sarora in Marh Block in the outskirts of Jammu city. He assisted by a team of doctors namely Dr. Dhaneshwar Kapoor, Dr. Mohi Kalsotra and Dr. Anitipal Singh along with paramedical staff and volunteers examined more than 250 patients.
Dr. Sushil and his team did not only screen the patients but interacted with them also to brief them about precautions they should take during winters.
“Heart attacks are 33 per cent more likely in winter. My advice to you all is to take special precautions during winter. We can see an increased risk of heart attack, because extremes of weather put stress on the body,” Dr. Sushil Sharma said.
He added that with cold weather, your blood vessels constrict and your blood pressure goes up. With heat, the blood pressure can fall and the heart has to work harder to make up for it. He said that many people aren’t conditioned to the physical stress of vigorous outdoor activities and don’t know the potential dangers of being outdoors in cold weather.
He further said that children and the elderly are at special risk because they may have limited ability to communicate or impaired mobility. People with coronary heart disease often suffer chest pain or discomfort when they’re in cold weather, said Dr. Sushil.
He maintained that besides cold temperatures, high winds, snow and rain also can steal body heat. He advised the people being screened to keep body warm by wearing layers of clothing.
“This traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Also, wear a hat or head scarf. Heat can be lost through your head. And ears are especially prone to frostbite. Keep your hands and feet warm, too, as they tend to lose heat rapidly,” said Dr. Sushil while adding that people should understand the dangers of being out in the cold weather so that cardiac arrest could be prevented to the highest possible extent.
He further said that people should not lose sight of the fact that cold weather is most dangerous for heart patients. “You should not take things lightly. Cold weather hurts badly if you are a heart patient,” said Dr. Sushil. He further said that the aim of holding cardiac camps is to reach to maximum number of people, apprising them about the heart diseases and ensuring that people eat heart healthy food and live long.
Dr. Sushil advised all those who were screened for the heart diseases to keep monitoring their blood pressure and cholesterol levels during winters. “It is good to eat heavy food but one should bear in mind that the same should not cross limits,” said the noted Cardiologist. He added that despite tight schedule, he has made it a habit to organise cardiac healthcare camps across Jammu city and outside just to ensure people keep an eye on their heart and live long and healthy life.
The team had the chance of screening a 100 year old man namely Babu Ram. They declared him physically fit and heart healthy. Dr. Sushil was invited to hold the day long camp in Sarora by Incharge Seva Bharti Jaidav Singh Dada alongwith Dwarkanath, K.C.Dubey, Mukesh, Tara Chand, Parshotam Sharma and Raghubir Sharma. Dada applauded the efforts of Dr. Sushil Sharma and said that by holding cardiac care camp in far-flung areas, Cardiology Department is doing yeoman service in the State.
“I thank Dr. Sushil Sharma for taking out his precious time and holding a camp in our area,” said Dada. Dr. Sushil promised the Seva Bharti incharge that as and when, he is called to hold a camp, he would immediately respond and come. The team of paramedics and volunteers who were part of the team included, Kamal Kishore, Kashmiri Lal, Sanjay Sharma, Gaurav Sharma and Vikas Kumar.