AHA Warns: Cold Weather Poses Serious Heart Attack, Stroke Risks

As winter storms approach, the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a critical health advisory highlighting the often-overlooked cardiovascular dangers posed by cold weather. The AHA, a global leader in health advocacy, explains that frigid temperatures cause blood vessels and coronary arteries to constrict, raising blood pressure and significantly increasing the risk of serious cardiac events like heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. The advisory, released via NEWMEDIAWIRE, details how strenuous activities like shoveling snow add extra strain to a heart already working overtime to maintain body temperature, and warns that individuals with pre-existing heart disease are particularly vulnerable to angina pectoris (chest pain) in the cold. Furthermore, the risks of hypothermia and the potential complications from common cold medicines for those with high blood pressure underscore the multifaceted threat winter poses to heart health.

To combat these risks, the AHA provides a comprehensive list of life-saving precautions. Key recommendations include dressing in layers to prevent heat loss, avoiding overexertion during winter activities, and using proper techniques—like pushing snow instead of lifting it—to reduce cardiac strain. The association also warns about the hidden calories in comforting cold weather drinks and the deceptive effects of alcohol, which can mask the body's strain. Crucially, the advisory urges everyone to learn the heart attack warning signs and emphasizes the importance of immediate action by calling 911. It also highlights the value of learning Hands-Only CPR, a simple two-step technique that can double or triple a survival chance, especially vital as emergency response times can slow during severe weather. The AHA directs the public to its website, heart.org, for more detailed resources on cold weather and cardiovascular disease.

This public health guidance is part of the American Heart Association's broader mission as a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. The organization, supported by millions of volunteers, continues to be a leading source of health information, funding research and providing critical resources. The release encourages the public to connect via heart.org or social media platforms like X @HeartNews for ongoing updates and to check on vulnerable loved ones, as the elderly can be especially susceptible to cold-weather dangers without realizing it. By combining awareness of the unique physiological threats with practical, actionable advice, this advisory aims to empower individuals to protect their heart health proactively during the winter months.