60 senior citizens attend talk on heart care in extreme winter

Cold makes arteries constrict that can decrease blood flow and delivery of oxygen Panchkula: “Every 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature that is 1.8 degree Fahrenheit comes with a 0.4% increase in deaths from all causes. Cold makes arteries constrict that can decrease blood flow and delivery of oxygen.” Dr Virendar Sarwal, director of cardiothoracic & vascular at Ojas Hospital stated this while addressing around 60 members of senior citizen club during a talk on ‘how to take care of heart during extreme winter’ at Ojas on Saturday. Among others Subash Kapoor, president of senior citizen club was also presented during occasion. Dr Sarwal said that cold tends to increase the formation of blood clots. Winters also is flu season, and studies have shown an increase in heart attack shortly after people get the flu, he remarked. Winter months also bring holidays that can stress people out, and the festivities can cause them to overindulge, asserted Dr Srawal. Another seasonal factor is the lack of sunshine, which might dissuade people from exercising, he maintained. When it’s dark people tend to be more depressed. We know that there’s correlation between emotional upset, depression and cardiac disease, he said. The various preventive aspects of heart disease were also discussed during occasion especially for their siblings as to how to know whether they are prone to heart disease or not by knowing their BP and genetic profile if one of their parents and grandparents have been suffering from heart problems. Dr Sarwal spoke about importance of having relaxed and stress free life through yoga, and regular diet at proper time. He also stressed upon the art of sharing and loving and expressing between friends as it release good hormones in the body which protects the heart.