Can cold days affect your blood pressure?

According to Dr. Rosangeles Konrad, doctor and postgraduate professor of Cardiology at Afya Brasília, the drop in temperature causes the body to activate natural mechanisms to preserve body heat. One of the main ones is vasoconstriction, a process in which blood vessels contract to reduce heat loss through the skin. As a result, the blood finds greater resistance to circulation, causing a temporary increase in blood pressure. Although this is a normal physiological response, it can represent a risk for those already living with cardiovascular diseases.

"When we are exposed to cold, the body activates mechanisms to preserve body temperature. The drop in skin temperature is perceived by thermoreceptors, which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and cause contraction of blood vessels. This vasoconstriction reduces heat loss, but increases resistance to the passage of blood, causing the heart to work harder to maintain circulation. As a consequence, blood pressure can rise between 5 and 30 mmHg in systolic pressure and between 5 and 15 mmHg in diastolic pressure, increasing the risk for people with hypertension, cardiovascular disease or other risk factors", explains the specialist.

In addition to the body's natural response, common habits during winter also contribute to this scenario. Reducing the practice of physical activities, increasing the consumption of foods rich in sodium and fats and reducing water intake favors uncontrolled blood pressure and overloads the cardiovascular system.

Higher risk of heart attack and stroke

The colder months also tend to see an increase in hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction and stroke. The increase in blood pressure, associated with increased blood viscosity and greater effort by the heart to maintain circulation, favors the occurrence of these events.

The cardiologist explains that the cold can act as a triggering factor in people who already have greater cardiovascular vulnerability. "The cold, in itself, does not cause a heart attack or stroke, but it can act as a trigger in people who already have some cardiovascular vulnerability. The increase in blood pressure and the heart's workload can destabilize fatty plaques in the arteries, increase the stress on the vessels and increase the demand for oxygen by the heart muscle, favoring the occurrence of these events. This risk is greater in people with atherosclerosis, hypertension or other cardiovascular risk factors", he states.

Although anyone can experience increased blood pressure on cold days, some groups deserve special attention:

People with high blood pressure;

Elderly;

Patients with a history of heart attack, stroke or heart failure;

People with diabetes;

People with obesity;

Patients with chronic kidney disease.

How to avoid changes in pressure during winter?

According to Afya's doctor, some simple measures help reduce the impacts of low temperatures on the cardiovascular system. These include measuring blood pressure regularly, avoiding prolonged exposure to intense cold, maintaining a balanced diet with little salt, hydrating yourself adequately, even when thirst decreases, and continuing to practice physical activities, preferably in environments protected from the lowest temperatures.

For the professor, small elevations in blood pressure during winter deserve attention, especially among people who already have risk factors. "Many people believe that feeling colder or having a slightly higher blood pressure is not a cause for concern. However, those who are hypertensive, elderly or have cardiovascular disease need to be extra careful. The contraction of blood vessels caused by the cold tends to be more intense in these groups, increasing the risk of complications. As hypertension, in most cases, does not cause symptoms, the ideal is to reinforce self-monitoring of blood pressure and maintain regular medical monitoring during the colder months. Studies show that winter is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, reinforcing the importance of this care."

When to seek care?

High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. However, some signs may indicate a significant increase in blood pressure or a cardiovascular emergency, such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, very severe headache, changes in vision, persistent dizziness or weakness on one side of the body. In these cases, the advice is to seek medical assistance immediately.

The specialist reinforces that one of the biggest mistakes is waiting for the symptoms to disappear on their own. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of strength or neurological changes should never be ignored. The faster the medical evaluation, the greater the chances of avoiding sequelae and saving lives.

Although cold is not the only cause of increased blood pressure, it favors changes in the body that increase cardiovascular risk, especially among more vulnerable people. Therefore, maintaining healthy habits, following treatment correctly, monitoring blood pressure and undergoing medical follow-up are fundamental measures to get through the winter more safely and protect heart health.

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