Original title: Cooling down so cold that "I dare not go out"! Experts interpret the key points of cardiovascular protection
Yangcheng Evening News reporter Xue Renzheng Correspondent Jian Wenyang, Huang Chunyan, Dai Xi'an.
Recently, a wave of temperature plummeting has ushered in all parts of the country, and Guangdong has not escaped. Recently, Ms. Liu, a citizen of Guangzhou, was worried, because her mother, who had a history of cardiovascular disease, insisted on staying at home and refusing to go out in order to avoid cold. She was interested in learning how older people with underlying medical conditions could protect themselves when they cooled down. To this end, the reporter interviewed cardiovascular and cerebrovascular experts.
Recently, the number of patients admitted to the cardiovascular department has increased by 10%-30%. Zeng Weijie, deputy chief physician of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, said that the sudden drop in temperature in winter has the greatest impact on the elderly, pregnant women, infants and young children, patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and people who work outdoors for a long time. Due to the physical causes of thermal expansion and contraction and the physiological reasons of the body's need to delay the rate of heat loss, the cold environment can cause the human body's blood vessels to constrict. The narrowing of the blood vessels increases the resistance of blood passage, which leads to an increase in blood pressure, and the heart needs to work harder to push blood through the narrowed blood vessels, which in turn puts a greater burden on the cardiovascular system.
Secondly, in a cold environment, vasoconstriction may cause red blood cells and platelets in the blood to accumulate in the blood vessels, and the viscosity of the blood will increase, indirectly increasing the risk of blood clot formation. The flow of blood decreases, and blood circulation becomes poor, putting an additional burden on the heart and blood vessels.
In addition, cold temperatures can lead to an increased inflammatory response within the blood vessels, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
As an elderly patient with a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is correct for the aunt to choose to keep warm and reduce going out, but it is not advisable to refuse to go out completely. Zeng Weijie introduced that not going out for a long time will make the body lack exercise, affect blood circulation and metabolism, and easily lead to a decrease in body immunity. Therefore, the elderly should go out and walk around appropriately and get some fresh air with special warmth.
He reminded the elderly to pay special attention to the warmth of their heads, chest, back, neck and limbs when they go out. In addition, in the process of going out, the elderly should also pay attention to safety and avoid accidents such as slips and falls.
At the same time, a healthy lifestyle and a sensible diet are key. Reduce salt and fat intake and increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Most importantly, get regular check-ups, follow your doctor's advice, and manage potential cardiovascular risk factors in a timely manner**.
*: Yangcheng Evening News.