IIt's cold in autumn and winter, beware of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases!

   The heart is a solitary organ, but the cardiovascular system is a circulatory structure composed of the heart, arteries, a huge capillary network and veins. Every time it works, all the blood vessels add up to 176,000 kilometers, which is 4 and a half circles around the earth's equator.

Reasons for high incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter

1. Lower temperature causes vasoconstriction

In winter, the temperature drops. In order to maintain normal body temperature, the blood vessels of the human body will constrict, resulting in increased vascular resistance, especially reduced coronary artery blood supply, which increases the burden on the heart.

2. Increased blood viscosity

In winter, the human body sweats less and water intake is insufficient, which can easily cause increased blood viscosity. Under low temperature conditions, platelet activity increases, and blood is more likely to coagulate and cause thrombosis, thereby causing myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, etc.!

3. Blood pressure fluctuations

Lower temperature can cause sympathetic nerve excitement, leading to increased blood pressure. In addition, the large temperature difference between morning and evening exacerbates blood pressure fluctuations and is also prone to cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

4. Increased burden on the heart

The cold in winter will increase the heart's oxygen demand, while vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure will further restrict blood circulation. This imbalance between supply and demand will increase the burden on the heart.

Especially in the early morning, due to the low temperature at night, the blood circulation on the body surface is slow, which is easy to induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

5. The influence of other risk factors

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and activities are reduced. In terms of diet, it is easy to consume more high-calorie foods, which will lead to weight gain and fat accumulation, and then increase the burden on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system.

At the same time, respiratory infections are common in winter, and infectious diseases may further increase the burden on the heart and induce diseases such as heart failure.

Prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter

1. Warmth measures

In winter, special attention should be paid to keeping warm, especially the head, neck, hands and feet, which are exposed to the outside, to avoid cold stimulation that causes drastic contraction of blood vessels.

In addition, pay attention to the moderate indoor temperature of about 20°C, reduce the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor, and prevent the air conditioning from causing high blood pressure.

2. Reasonable diet

Avoid excessive intake of high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar foods, and moderate intake of foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish and nuts. Eat foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole grain fruits and vegetables, and avoid overeating, especially at night, to reduce the burden on the heart at night.

3. Increase water intake

Due to reduced sweating in winter, it is easy to neglect hydration. It is recommended to drink a moderate amount of water every day, especially drinking a cup of warm water after getting up in the morning and before going to bed at night, which helps dilute the blood and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

You can drink water in small amounts and multiple times to ensure adequate water intake throughout the day.

4. Reasonable exercise

The amount of exercise is relatively reduced in winter. You can choose moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, yoga, etc. You should warm up fully before exercise to avoid direct stimulation of blood vessels by cold. The amount of exercise should be slightly sweaty and comfortable, and avoid excessive heart burden caused by strenuous exercise.

5. Good living habits

Ensure adequate sleep and avoid staying up late. Lack of sleep will lead to high blood pressure and vasoconstriction, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Maintaining a positive attitude towards life is also conducive to cardiovascular health. Avoid excessive emotional excitement to prevent drastic fluctuations in blood pressure.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are like an invisible threat, lurking in our daily lives, especially in winter. But through reasonable preventive measures, we can greatly reduce the risk of its occurrence. From keeping warm, eating, drinking water, exercising to all-round adjustments in living habits, every detail is crucial.