With the arrival of cold air, the temperature has dropped significantly, and myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction have entered a period of high incidence. Research shows that for every 1 degree Celsius decrease in temperature, the risk of myocardial infarction increases by 2%.
What changes will occur in blood vessels under hot and cold stimulation? Why are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies more likely to occur in winter?
According to experts, in winter, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and indoor and outdoor cold and hot alternate. Cold stimulation can directly cause vasoconstriction and spasm. Healthy blood vessels have good elasticity and strong adjustment ability; however, for people with arteriosclerosis and blood vessel plaques, vasoconstriction will not only cause insufficient blood supply, but may also induce plaque rupture and shedding, block blood vessels, and then cause myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.
Liu Jingzun, chief physician of the Department of Neurology, Peking University People's Hospital: A sudden drop in temperature will induce sympathetic nerve excitement and increase blood pressure. A sudden drop in temperature may cause the platelet function in the patient's body to improve, which means that the coagulation function may be stronger. From this perspective, it is also a cause of ischemic events. A sudden drop in temperature may also affect the function of endothelial cells, including increased inflammatory responses, which may increase the instability of some plaques. Plaque instability will also increase ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease events.
These daily habits hide vascular risks
Experts remind that many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies may appear to occur suddenly, but are actually caused by long-term bad habits combined with cold stimulation.
Going out for morning exercises early in the morning, blindly soaking your feet in high-temperature hot water, drinking too little water, and taking too much supplements are common practices that many people are accustomed to, but there are many hidden dangers behind them.
Many elderly people have the habit of getting up early and doing morning exercises. Early in the morning around sunrise is often the lowest temperature of the day. Low temperature will directly stimulate vasoconstriction and significantly increase the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Some people think that foot bathing in hot water can promote blood circulation and maintain health. However, for people with lower limb vascular ischemia and diabetes, foot bathing at high temperature is not only not good for health, but will aggravate limb ischemia and is dangerous.
Sweating becomes less in autumn and winter. Many people don’t drink enough water and their blood viscosity increases. Some people blindly take supplements in winter and their blood lipids fluctuate rapidly, which will also increase the burden on blood vessels.
Read the body’s distress signals
Recognize cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergency warnings
Myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction are often very dangerous. Many people mistakenly believe that myocardial infarction must be accompanied by severe chest pain, and cerebral infarction must be accompanied by severe headache. In fact, the early warning signs of vascular emergencies are complicated and hidden, and the manifestations of the disease are different in different parts.
So how to quickly identify, seize the opportunity for treatment, and how to take scientific protection on a daily basis to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies in winter?
Liu Jingzun, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology, Peking University People's Hospital: When a myocardial infarction occurs suddenly, some patients will have obvious retrosternal pain, and this pain can radiate to the back, shoulders, and even the face. There are also some patients with myocardial infarction whose symptoms are not so typical. Some patients feel discomfort in the chest area, discomfort in the stomach area, or fatigue. Once you feel unwell, seek medical advice promptly.
Different from the signals of myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction has a set of typical manifestations that are highly identifiable. By remembering these characteristics, you can quickly identify the risk of stroke.
Guo Jianming, Chief Physician of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University: There are several typical symptoms of cerebral infarction. One is that you suddenly find it difficult to speak smoothly. Or there is a problem with the flexibility of the arms and legs, such as picking up something with chopsticks and suddenly finding that the clamping is not stable. In addition, I suddenly found that the corners of my face and mouth began to tilt to one side.
Recognizing early warning signs and sending them to the hospital in time are the key to treatment. Daily scientific protection can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies in winter.
Guo Jianming, Chief Physician of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University: Keeping warm is the first priority. For the elderly, moderate exercise must be done within their ability. Excessive exercise may also cause a burden on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. Another thing is to take medicine promptly and regularly. If high blood pressure or high blood sugar occurs, you must actively control it. In addition, you should quit smoking, because smoking is very harmful to blood vessels. There is also the need for regular physical examinations, and ultrasound of the cerebrovascular and carotid arteries should be done every year for those over 60 years old.
(Headquarters reporters Sun Jinyan and Cao Yu)
