Staying Heart Healthy Through the Coldest Air of the Year This Valentine’s

Newswise — CLEVELAND – “Baby it’s cold outside…” By all accounts, this year’s winter has been fairly mild, but from time to time Mother Nature demonstrates her schizophrenic personality making us trade in our short-sleeved shirts for our winter coats in the same week. When the thermometer does dip down in the lower depths, the temperatures can adversely affect your health, and specifically your heart and cardiovascular system. Sahil Parikh, MD, interventional cardiologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center says cold weather places greater stress on your body and that precautionary steps should be taken to avoid emergencies and ill effects of the chill. “When people are exposed to the cold, a number of things happen to the cardiovascular system,” says Dr. Parikh. “Any activity in the cold weather puts more stress on your heart and your breathing.” Watching the wind chills, time exposed to the cold temperatures and layering clothes to keep you warm are essential. “The most important thing is common sense, dress appropriately and pace yourself. Make sure whatever you are wearing helps maintain your core body temperature and if you perspire, try to wear clothes that will help keep you dry,” says Dr. Parikh. “Remember too that when you are out in the cold, you have to watch for the warning signs by listening to your body. ” Sound bites from Sahil Parikh, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, b-roll and natural sound are available for download on University Hospitals Case Medical Center Newsroom.