Tips for cold weather heart health

This transcript is automatically generated

Well the doctors then and we've got a new warning about your heart as temperatures drop outside the colder it gets.

-- the higher your chances of a heart attack.

Joining us house after Kevin Campbell a cardiologist -- and Kevin we doctor Campbell we thank you for joining us today it's it's good to see you.

This a very important topic because.

There's a lot of should us -- while there are so that's a lot of shoveling going on people will go out there without warming up.

Didn't take us through the pacing of what a person should do before they go out to trying to shovel snow from in front of their homes.

So the cold weather puts a lot of undue stress on the cardiovascular system.

We know that wind temperatures drop and we exert ourselves quickly outside.

That our blood pressure raises quickly and that we also put undue stress on the heart muscle itself.

Really in people who were predispose that haven't heart attacks this could really set them off and cause -- cardiovascular event to occur.

But again you know sometimes even trudging through to snuff her out there playing with your your loved ones it's it's a wonderful -- we can't go anywhere so let's go outside and make a snowman let's play.

A snowball fight even that can lead to.

A crises of the heart because of the cold temperatures but also the movement to the exertion.

That's exactly right one of the things that we really recommend is that you -- -- -- stretching and warming up before you go outside.

Make sure when you exert yourself in the cold weather you do it with frequent breaks always have someone aware that you're working outside and someone with you so that it.

Something does happen you have someone to help you.

USA -- it's a very good ploy ever gonna go through some of those issues right now those cold weather health tips because.

I know in my own neighborhood where I used to live in in Hagerstown Maryland this time of year when it would snow.

All of the neighbors to come out and we would help each other shovel the snow or we do you snow blowers.

But there was always that that added help so as we go through this this is very important to do right do these tips here -- so just taking frequent breaks.

It certainly is because you just don't want to put undue stress on the heart.

Particular -- if you have high blood pressure are known coronary artery disease gives you can really precipitate an event.

And these events can be devastating particularly if there's no one around to help you get an early -- said don't push on it don't shovel but actually push -- as you jobless.

Actually push it along as opposed trying to lift it because that's causing more assertion.

Another thing is there's alcohol you should really be drinking alcohol -- going on to the elements.

That's exactly right what we know is that alcohol can give you a false sense of war.

It can cause validation of some of the blood vessels.

And really that you -- undue risk for hypothermia.

And you may also not noticed some of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack if you're under the influence of alcohol.

And another thing if you're going to be out their doc should how should we.

Dress should -- layer our clothing to make sure that we have enough warmth.

I think that's very important to create a base layer of war may be long Johns or something of that sort and then later on.

Outerwear.

So that you are warm and as you exert yourself you may need to remove a layer put a -- back on you just have to really pay attention to it to your body in the symptoms that you may or may not experience.

Yeah I -- were running -- but I was just recently when -- sandy had it cause a blizzard in Elkins West Virginia.

And all of the crew that was -- that joined me our camera crew and myself -- layer our clothing.

But we endured three feet of snow in a snow blizzard condition.

So the right thing to do was to make sure that we got in and out to stay warm.

So what's your advice and people caught in in this blizzard that's -- crossed a country that's the significance of this snowfall -- -- Well I think certainly if you don't have to be out -- it stay at home and stay off Peres -- And I think that if you do have to be out on it.

Be out with a partner with someone -- can watch over you and you watch over them and make sure that you do take care to notice signs and symptoms.

And just another fair warning to those of you were out there in these kinds of -- be careful when you're near trees.

Because they will snap they can fall and they can -- serious injury if not even cause death.

-- thanks.

Thank you so much for having me today are thinking and stoves or not heaters.

Exactly very good I was just thinking about those that was great very helpful.

Watch Live

Tips for cold weather heart health

Details

Clips

Editor's Picks

Sen. Marco Rubio outlines future of immigration reform

Buchanan: IRS is a 'rogue agency'

Massive fire breaks out at fuel-depot in Brazil

Holder's changing tune on involvement in journalist scrutiny

'The Five's advice for newly minted college grads

Cavuto: We're in a global war on terror

New information about the London terror suspects

Travis Alexander's friend: Family wants Arias on death row

The new face of US drone policy

Investigation into death of US engineer in Singapore a sham?

Former President Bush hosts wounded warrior bike ride

New developments in Maxim model murder trial

Transcript

Recommended