Affected by cold weather?

[westie10]

This seems really minor compared to a lot of posts - but here goes.....can/does the cold weather affect folk with heart conditions? i had attack and stent in March - doing ok. Went to Evensong at local church on Sunday evening - it was freezing! - since then I've felt under the weather, very tired but can't sleep and a bit of chest pain...any ideas??

Thank you

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It certainly can! A scarf round your face (I have one of those soft, circular ones) works a treat, but just make sure it’s just the cold and nothing else has changed for you.

[westie10 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

As said the cold weather can affect you adversely. The cold air narrows already narrowed arteries further and can cause angina. I had particular problems with this over the winter of 17/18. If you still have ongoing pain go to A&E to get checked out.

Have you a GTN spray?

[westie10 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you. Yes, I have 2 GTN sprays as well as taking isosorbide mononitrate!

[NorthantsSteve]

As Kristin says - it certainly does as your arteries contract and your heart has to work harder to pump your blood around. The BHF has some helpful info: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I also agree that it might be best to get checked out just in case it isn’t the cold.

[westie10 in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thank you

[Calliope153]

Having gone through one winter where I learnt exactly how badly the cold and wind can get to you (see my little pic) on the daily walk I am currently knitting gloves (mittens are best as fingers share the warmth), scarves and beanies to leave in cars, by the front door, in coat pockets, in handbags..... I have already bought thermal vests (!) and thermally lined boots. I got so breathless last winter I ended up wearing two scarves at once. Now have 3 GTN sprays - one in handbag, one in coat pocket and one in car. Have given up worrying what I look like..... feel like boil in a bag at times but better than struggling home feeling like your chest is being cut with knives....

[westie10 in reply to Calliope153]

Thank you

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Calliope153]

I forgot to take my GTN spray with me, so often when I was out and about, that I now tuck it into the centre of my bra, and it’s available almost all the time!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Kristin1812]

Excellent suggestion...and yes funny too

[westie10 in reply to Kristin1812]

Brilliant idea!!

[Rob6868 in reply to Kristin1812]

I shove my GTN spray down me pants

I wondered why I got some odd looks lol😀😁😂

Sorry just had to add a comment 😁😁

[westie10 in reply to Rob6868]

That's really made me chuckle!!!

[Anginamum in reply to Calliope153]

Marvelous I can't stop laughing x

[Sunnie2day in reply to Calliope153]

I'm laughing but also nodding my head as I'm now the same - warmies stashed every where. I've also re-discovered a small thing (ha!) I discovered as a child - the very minute the last button/snap/zip is done up, gloves and hat/beanie/hood/scarf on and settled is the very minute I realise I really should have visited the convenience before suiting up for the wild winter (or autumn or...).

Sigh.

[Helen_BHF]

Hi westie10 , this might be useful - some advice from the BHF on cold weather: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[westie10 in reply to Helen_BHF]

Thank you

[Ianc2]

You can get heated electrical gloves as used by people with arthritis and motor cyclists as advertised on amazon. There was a discussion on chemical pouches and zippo hand warmers in recent postings by the Reynauld's sufferers which may be useful?

[westie10 in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you

[S11m]

Keep warm - is your house plenty warm enough?

The medics do tend to take "chest pain" seriously - when I had angina, I phoned the surgery, and they told me I could not see a doctor for three weeks - and then asked me if it was urgent. I said:

"I think they normally take chest pain seriously."

and I saw my doctor of choice the same day.

[westie10 in reply to S11m]

Thank you. Hope the doctor helped properly.

[stillaboveground in reply to S11m]

Good for you, always stress chest pain to the receptionists.

[Hidden]

Feel the cold a lot more than I use to and this time of year a cold and runny nose!