The weather is cold in winter, and many diseases of the elderly are easy to induce and aggravate in winter, among which cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and digestive diseases are more common. It has a high risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as central infarction and cerebral infarction, and even life-threatening. Winter is the "devil's season" for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. According to data from the China Chronic Disease Prospective Research Project, the number of cardiovascular deaths in winter is 41% higher than in summer.
There are five main reasons why myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction tend to occur in winter: 1In winter, the temperature is low, and the cold stimulation will excite the sympathetic nerves of the human body, which can easily lead to vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and insufficient cardiovascular and cerebrovascular blood supply2.In the cold state, it is easy to lead to platelet aggregation, decreased body activity, insufficient water intake, and increased blood viscosity, which affects the blood supply to the heart and brain3.The fragile plaques in the blood vessels are easy to rupture and form blood clots, leading to myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular vessels4.In winter, calorie consumption is high, and it is often easy to consume more high-fat foods, which significantly increases blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease5.In winter, the incidence of respiratory infections increases. After infection, the burden on the heart increases, which can easily induce acute myocardial infarction and sudden death.
In order to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the elderly and caregivers need to keep in mind 7 points:
1.Be careful to keep warm and keep out the cold.
Wear a hat when going out, pay attention to the warmth of the head and body, reduce cold irritation, and prevent colds.
Pay attention to temperature changes when bathing, and never bathe with overheated water. It is generally recommended to control the bath time to about 10 to 20 minutes.
When you get up, you can move around in the quilt first, and then get up after getting used to the indoor temperature to avoid the sudden cold and heat of the body contact.
2.It is necessary to take medicine regularly and control the three highs.
Patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia should take medication regularly under the guidance of a doctor, and regularly monitor blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, and cannot stop the drug on their own.
3.It is necessary to eat reasonably, with three lows and three highs.
Low salt, low fat, low sugar: Low salt helps control blood pressure, with a daily intake of 5g;Low salt, low fat, and low sugar help control diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.
High-protein, high-vitamin, high-fiber diet: helps ensure nutrition, improve immunity, and reduce the occurrence of infections.
Drink plenty of water, for people with normal heart function, it is recommended to drink at least 1500 1700ml of water per day. It helps to reduce blood viscosity, and with a high-fiber diet, it can keep stools smooth, reduce the occurrence of constipation, and reduce the risk of blood pressure fluctuations due to constipation.
4.Quit smoking and limit alcohol.
The nicotine in cigarettes increases fibrinogen in the blood, resulting in blood viscosity, and can easily induce vasospasm and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Stay away from smoking places and avoid secondhand smoke. Long-term heavy alcohol consumption is very harmful to cardiovascular disease, and alcohol intake should be controlled.
5.Exercise in moderation.
When it's cold, you should reduce outdoor morning exercises, preferably during warmer hours, such as after 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Try to exercise indoors when it's particularly cold.
Elderly people should choose appropriate exercise methods according to their own conditions when exercising in winter. The duration and intensity of exercise should be appropriate, and the body should sweat slightly, not feel tired, and feel relaxed after exercise. Take it step by step and avoid excessive or strenuous exercise. It is advisable to take activities with a small amount of exercise, such as walking, jogging, gymnastics, tai chi, square dancing, etc.
6.Be positive and optimistic.
We try to keep our mood happy. Bad emotions such as frustration, anger, and nervousness are not conducive to the control of blood pressure and increase the burden on the heart.
7.It is necessary to have a physical examination and re-examination in a timely manner.
It is recommended that the elderly do a health examination every year to understand the various indicators of their body such as blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, etc., and must consult a family doctor for control if there is abnormality, so as to effectively reduce the occurrence and development of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, severe headache, chest tightness, or chest pain, please seek medical attention promptly.
Chen Min (Attending Physician, Community Health Service Center, Changzheng Town, Putuo District, Shanghai).