The cases of heart attacks and strokes recorded in various medical institutions have almost doubled in 15 days.
Experts are warning people suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease and the elderly to be cautious, as the cold weather can worsen existing heart problems.
King George’s Medical University (KGMU), has seen a surge in cases, with around 12-14 cases of stroke and 20-25 cases of heart attack being reported every day for the last 15 days. This shows an increase of 100 percent compared to normal days.
At the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), the daily number of heart attack cases has increased from eight to nine and stroke cases to 10, up from four to five on normal days.
KGMU Neurologist Professor Ravi Uniyal said that while on normal days there used to be 6-7 cases of stroke, currently it has increased to 12-14.
He emphasized that approximately 50 percent of stroke and heart attack patients are unaware of their high blood pressure, and often neglect treating high blood pressure.
Cold weather constricts blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events, temperature affects platelets and increases the chance of clot formation.
He said, “When this clot blocks blood flow to the brain, the patient suffers a stroke. Bleeding occurs when a vessel ruptures, often due to high blood pressure. “Both situations can be fatal.”
Professor Pravesh Vishwakarma, faculty member, department of cardiology, King George’s Medical University, highlighted the increased risk for individuals with cardiovascular problems, citing increased chances of heart attack due to vessel narrowing.
They recommended flu vaccine shots for high-risk individuals and emphasized lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight management.
Professor Bhuvan Chand, head of cardiology at RMLIMS, urged people to avoid sudden temperature changes, wear warm clothes and get regular health checkups done. He stressed that proactive measures, both in terms of medical care and lifestyle adjustments, are important to protect against the increased risks arising from the impact of winter on cardiovascular health.