Hospitals across the city have confirmed that there is a rise in the number of people coming in with cardiac problems with the dip in temperature.
Speaking about the trend, Dr. Viveka Kumar, director, Cath Lab, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said: “At my hospital alone we have received three new patients every day over the last five days. We have also seen an increase in the number of cases reported on heart failure, especially at night. In the last two weeks, we saw five new cases of cardiac arrest coming in at night. Out of the five cases, only two patients survived as they sought immediate medical assistance and did not wait till the morning. Generally, people who wait till morning to seek medical assistance increase the risk involved. The survival rate caries and is generally 70-80 per cent.”
Lack of awareness
Doctors state that the upward trend of cardiac arrest this season has to do with the lack of awareness about cardiac health. “People either confuse initial symptoms of heart attacks (discomfort, sweating, shooting pain in chest, arm, etc) for discomfort or gastro problem. This can cause delay in seeking necessary medical attention. The temperature dip often reduces body temperature due to which there can be a sudden rise in blood pressure which builds pressure on the heart,” warned Dr. Kumar.
Physicians add that people get complacent about their health during winters.
“If someone is already prone to heart problems due to genetics, obesity or stress, then they need to be extremely cautious during this season. Dehydration is pivotal to most health concerns during winter,” said doctors.
Caution is the word
The endless cups of tea and coffee, limited or no water intake and increase in smoking and alcohol consumption are to be blamed for dehydration, according to the physicians.
“The cold weather can create threatening factors for heart attacks, especially people who are over the age of 50 (or have had a history of heart problems, diabetes or hypertension) are at a higher risk of heart attacks,” explained IMA’s Dr. K.K. Aggarwal.
