As temperatures continue to drop, keep your heart in mind this winter

This winter, as you go about bundling up daily to keep yourself warm, offers a timely opportunity to check on your heart health. Cold temperatures require your body to work harder to stay warm, and that extra effort can put strain on your heart.

Even worse, some people can have heart disease and not even know it. This is called silent ischemia, also known as a silent heart attack.

It occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching the heart muscle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent.

Cold weather can cause your blood vessels to constrict, leading to more frequent incidence of ischemic heart events like silent heart attacks.

Ascension Illinois cardiologist Dr. Andrei Pop says there are a few signs that could distinguish a silent heart attack from a regular one.

“Patients either have no symptoms or highly non-specific complaints such as indigestion, cold sweat, excessive fatigue, and difficulty breathing. The typical signs of a heart attack, such as chest pains and pressure, are often not present” said Dr. Pop.

A silent heart attack can last a few minutes to several hours, with symptoms sometimes appearing and disappearing over time. Often missed, it is usually discovered when a doctor sees a patient for another problem.

“An electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, stress test, and coronary angiography are all tests that can be used to identify the issue. We bring to bear the latest technology to spot irregularities that otherwise go unnoticed with a regular exam or check-up.”

Some people in particular need to be cautious in the winter of their predisposition to heart disease.

If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, have had previous cardiac procedures, have high blood pressure or diabetes or are a smoker, you are more likely to suffer from a silent heart attack.

In order to protect your heart as best you can this winter, remember to dress in layers while outdoors, including a hat and scarf, refrain from drinking alcohol before going outside as inebriation can mask signs of bodily strain, and lastly be honest in listening to your body and take breaks if anything feels unusual.