Study: Risk of Heart Attack Increases During Cold Weather

News24xx.com -  Heart attacks are now included in the list of weather-affected diseases. Recent research shows the risk of heart disease increases when the weather gets colder.

The new study published in JAMA Cardiology analyzes data on the incidence of heart attacks with a country's weather. The air temperature data was obtained from various weather centers in several countries.

"The main finding is that there is an increase in heart attacks when temperatures are low, strong winds, low sunlight duration, and low atmospheric pressure," said one researcher from Lund University, Sweden, David Erlinge, as quoted by CNN.

Researchers found a higher risk of heart attack in days with temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. The rate of heart attack also decreases with increasing air temperature.

"When the temperature drops from 20 degrees to zero degrees Celsius, the risk of heart attack increases by 14 percent," Erlinge said.

Researchers also found a decrease in the risk of heart attack by 2.8 percent every increase in air temperature by 7.4 degrees Celsius.

This study is considered the largest study because it uses data from more than 274 thousand patients.

"This is the largest study that provides general information about the relationship between lower air temperature and a higher risk of heart attack," said American Heart Association President Ivor Benjamin who was not involved in the study.

In order to avoid a heart attack during cold weather, Benjamin advised to stay in a warm room and reduce physical activity that triggered the sudden attack.
In addition to heart attacks, the risk of seasonal affective disorders and joint pain also increases during cold weather.