Smoking is more injurious during winters
One should abstain from drinking alcohol and smoking during the winter season as the amount of oxygen in the lungs is lower in cold temperatures, and smoking can trigger respiratory ailments, cardiovascular complications and high blood pressure. The cold weather also brings with it an increased incidence of Vitamin D deficiency, causing heart diseases and strokes, say senior cardiologists Dr K K Sethi and Dr Balbir Singh. Dr K K Sethi, Director-Cardiology, Delhi Heart & Lung Institute, said, “Cold temperatures cause the heart arteries to constrict, thereby restricting the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This often results in a rise in the blood pressure of patients with hypertension or existing cardiovascular disease.” Adding to this, Dr. Balbir Singh, Sr Interventional Cardiologist, Medanta The Medicity Hospital said, “ During winters we notice winter depression setting in especially amongst the elderly population. This causes an increase in stres...