AHA offers winter weather warnings
The American Heart Association's (AHA) Operation Winter Weather Warnings launched today with an educational campaign targeted to individuals with heart disease or history of stroke, and those who may be at high risk. This includes individuals with high blood pressure; those who are overweight; smokers; those with high cholesterol; those with a strong family history of heart disease and those who are sedentary. For these individuals, the stresses of the season may pose extra risk and the association is urging individuals to exercise caution to avoid sudden cardiac death.

Deaths from coronary artery disease tend to rise rapidly right after Thanksgiving, continuing through Christmas, peaking around New Year's Day. Several factors may influence this unfortunate trend, from an increase in respiratory infections during the winter, to increased workload on the heart from activities performed in cold weather such as shoveling of snow or a decrease in usual healthful exercise activity needed to maintain cardiovascular fitness as a result of weather conditions. Dietary influences and indiscretions are also implicated, as we increase our food, alcohol and salt consumption.

The American Heart Association recommends the following tips to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest:

• Avoid sudden cold weather exertion: Snowstorms present particular challenges for everyone, primarily because getting rid of the snow usually means unusually strenuous exertion in cold weather. In and of itself, outdoor activities can be good exercise, but not if you are normally sedentary, if you are not physically fit, are in poor physical condition, or have risk factors that make outdoor winter exertion inadvisable for your health. Everyone who must be outdoors in cold weather should avoid sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow. Even something simple like walking through heavy, wet snow or snowdrifts can strain a person's heart.

• Stay warm: People with coronary heart disease often suffer chest pain or discomfort called angina pectoris when they're in cold weather. Besides cold temperatures, high winds, snow and rain also can steal body heat. Wind is especially dangerous, because it removes the layer of heated air from around your body. At 30 degrees Fahrenheit in a 20-mph wind, the cooling effect is equal to calm air at a frigid 4 degrees. Similarly, dampness causes the body to lose heat faster than it would at the same temperature in drier conditions.

To keep warm, wear layers of clothing. This traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Also, wear a hat or headscarf. Much of your body's heat is lost through your head. And ears are especially prone to frostbite. Keep your hands and feet warm, too, as they tend to lose heat rapidly.

• Avoid alcohol before heading outdoors: Alcohol gives an initial feeling of warmth, but this is caused by expanding blood vessels in the skin. Heat is then drawn away from the body's vital organs. Alcohol consumption and physical activity in harsh winter weather conditions can increase the likelihood of hypothermia.

• Learn CPR: Each year we read about the tragedies that befall families when they lose a loved one to sudden cardiac death. There is much we can do to prevent such tragedies from happening. Learn CPR. Be an American HeartSaver. Learn it for someone you love.

Howard Levite, M.D.

American Heart Association Central/Southern New Jersey

Robbinsville