Srinagar- Amid intensifying chill across the valley, the hospitals in Kashmir are witnessing an increase in footfall of cardiac arrest patients.
The health experts in the valley maintain that chill intensifies risk of heart attacks, stroke and other diseases and advised people to take more precautions.
They said not only elderly people, but young and healthy individuals also come to hospitals with massive heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Irfan Ahmad Bhat, senior cardiologist at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital told Kashmir Observer that they people need to understand that in order to keep the body warm during winters the work of the heart doubles.
“But this is not happening in the valley only, wherever you have harsher winters, the heart attacks are more,” Dr. Irfan told Kashmir Observer.
He further said chill narrows the blood vessels and arteries of the heart as a result the blood flow is less to the heart.
“The Blood pressure also shoots-up during winters, which affects the heart,” he added.
The patients who are prone to heart attack, according to doctors are—Diabetic, Blood pressure, smokers and people above the age of 60 years.
According to officials from SMHS, the territory care hospitals witness 16 to 20 cardiac arrest cases every day, same is the case with Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
Dr. Hilal Ahmad Rather, HOD Cardiology SKIMS said that they usually witness more cases of heart failure and stroke during winters.
He, however argues that there is no such research done by anyone to know why more heart attacks in winters but maintains that cold is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
“Sedentary lifestyle, peculiar Dietary habits during winters might be the reason for the surge in heart blocks—the winter is the risk factor,” Dr. Rather added.
Dr. Rather added that people should take care of their diet and keep a tab on their weight.
Notably, the Kashmir Valley is currently going through the hardest winter period of 40 days famously known as ‘Chilla-Kalan’. The minimum temperature of Kashmir is still below freezing point and has just risen some degree.
The summer capital—-Srinagar recorded -3.5 degrees Celsius last night.
The surge in heart attacks and other diseases amid the dip in temperature increase in number of deaths.
The people across the valley are suffering from different ailments including pneumonia, chest infection, hypertension and diabetes.
The medical experts maintain that 40-days of extreme cold in the Valley is crucial for such patients and people should take extra care of their patients.
Dr. Upendra Kaul, Kashmir’s top cardiologist, told Kashmir Observer that reason for the increase in heart attacks and other ailments can be attributed to multiple factors including less physical activity during winters, excessive food.
“Because of this the weight goes high which raises the cholesterol level among the people. People have to realise that whether it’s summer or winter, they shouldn’t skip exercise. The people of Kashmir should make it a habit. They need to burn their calories every day,” Dr. Kaul added.
He said people should eat more veggies and fruits and less rice.
“If you don’t change your diet and lifestyle, these ailments won’t go away. Kashmiris learned everything but couldn’t adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Koul added.
Dr. Irfan Ahmad Bhat however said that people should change the timings of exercise and walking.
“If you were doing it in the morning, avoid that rather do it in day or evening time,” Dr. Irfan said, adding that patients should take their medicines on time and don’t take the symptoms lightly.
The Doctors also maintained that amid the possible another Covid-19 wave, the people should take necessary precautions as the COVID has increased the risk factor rate of heart attacks.
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