Feeling cold: Hi... Is it normal with a... - British Heart Fou...

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Feeling cold

Jils profile image
Jils
47 Replies

Hi... Is it normal with a heart or blocked Artery issue, to feel the cold so much more than I used to? Also, to be more tired and having to pace myself?

This is still new to me. Treated for Angina. See cardiologist this week for scan results. A problem found. Slight enlarged heart. Also GP thinks possibly blocked Artery as I do have Pad.

Thank you xx

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Jils profile image
Jils
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47 Replies
Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

It is normal to feel the cold more keenly with a heart condition.

My angina is triggered by the cold or a sudden drop in the temperature.

I have to be careful even in the summer going into a foodshop and standing by the frozen food section as it can cause angina for me🥶

There is also a special tiredness a fatigue like nothing else that many of us feel too.

Pacing is very important and rest up if you need to. Listen to what your body is telling you.

I hope you find your new ' normal ' soon.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toMilkfairy

Thank you for getting back to me. Yes, the fatigue is certainly like no other! I feel old befor my time. Never mind... Could be a lot worse xx

MyAbu profile image
MyAbu in reply toJils

Yes, definitely, I can’t walk or stay standing for long before getting this burning sensation in my thighs - I guess that had to be with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy- but the doctors completely ignore it - with the result that I can’t walk for long and have not been able to develop any stamina for exercise?

Speakeazi profile image
Speakeazi in reply toMyAbu

You could have PAD in your arteries in your thigh. Worth going back to GP to investigate further. Don’t give up. Being mobile is just so important.

Pandorella profile image
Pandorella in reply toSpeakeazi

Please explain, what is PAD? I too have burning sensation in my Thigh at times, and yes, the doctors and Consultant ignore it.

Speakeazi profile image
Speakeazi in reply toPandorella

It stands for Peripheral Artery Disease. The symptoms can be pain on walking and is caused by a build of plaques in the leg arteries and can also affect other arteries as wel. This means that you can’t walk very far without stopping.

For many people there are no symptoms at all. If you have pain, I would go back and ask.

Good luck

Pandorella profile image
Pandorella in reply toSpeakeazi

Hi Speakeazi , Many Thanks for your prompt reply.. At least now I have an idea of what might be wrong with me, and why I suffer with Cramps which can be really painful at times, but when I told the Doc about it, he said nothing! It is good to read these Posts on this Site, one does not feel so much on their own!

Thanks again.

NathanBlau profile image
NathanBlau

Hi - after a heart attack and recovery with all the usual medications I have certainly felt the cold more. I have no scientific proof but suspect the anti platelet medication - I am sure someone on here will confirm if that is a likely cause.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toNathanBlau

I am on aspirin, which I am assuming doesn't help. Thank you for replying. Hope you have recovered well xx

NathanBlau profile image
NathanBlau in reply toJils

I just googled the question - not for the first time, I am wrong in assuming that the anti-platelets make you feel cold ...

“the thickness or viscosity of our blood has nothing to do with how we experience the temperature,” said Holly S. Andersen, director of education and outreach for the Perelman Heart Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

It seems a more likely explanation is impaired blood flow to your extremities.

Oh well - back to work in the hope I am better informed about IT than cardiac issues!

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toNathanBlau

That made me smile x

rockie1952 profile image
rockie1952 in reply toNathanBlau

Since my triple bypass operation last year and being on the normal concoction of drugs, I am noticeably more susceptible to cold, particularly in my feet.

Calliope153 profile image
Calliope153

Yes this is my second winter coming up and I am prepared..... scarves and mittens in cars, every coat pocket and. for the first time since my childhood, a clean vest every day! I lose whole days when I just feel wiped out. No identifiable triggers or patterns. You are definitely not alone in noting the cold and tiredness.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toCalliope153

Thank you. I too have lost days. Its so difficult to explain to those without experience! I have just invested in another hat, scarf and gloves 😂

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toCalliope153

My 8th winter coming up.

2 thermal vests

1 Thick tunic

2 cardigans

Thermal leggings

Thick trousers

Fleece liners in my boots

A scarf and snood covering my nose

Hat

Silver lining gloves from Raynauds association

Gloves

Coat!

I look like a Michelin man😊

Please please let it be a mild winter 🥶

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toMilkfairy

I love it 😂

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

One of the side effects of beta-blockers are cold hands and feet. After my heart attack last December.I was on Bisoprolol - totally frozen hands and feet and continually running nose. Got it changed to Carvedilol in June and the problem has resolved itself, much much better now. If you're on a beta-blocker this could be the cause of you feeling cold

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toSpiritoftheFloyd

Thank you for replying. No, I am not on beta blockers. Only aspirin and statins and a GTN spray when needed X

MyAbu profile image
MyAbu in reply toSpiritoftheFloyd

Thank you very much for this information- I am on Bisoprolol and have same symptoms but never connected the two ! Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Peterpiper1 profile image
Peterpiper1 in reply toMyAbu

Hi I have been on 1.25mg bisoprolol for two months now and feel like I'm walking through treacle ..I'm on a waiting list for heart valve surgery at papworth.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toPeterpiper1

It's awful isn it, that you should have to be on a waiting list for something so important?! X

Peterpiper1 profile image
Peterpiper1 in reply toJils

Yes it is jils been told 6 to 9 months wait.. Could be less because the new Papworth hospital is getting through a back log quite well I was told.. I just tell myself that there must be more urgent cases.im going to see if I can change bisoprolol to something else because I've lost my mojo and have to keep working 45 hours a week X

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toPeterpiper1

6 to 9 months? That's awful. I know someone that has been waiting over 2 years for a bypass. Laughable really, as she was told 2 years ago that she needed it urgently or would die 😂. Hopefully it will be 6 not 9 months for you. Awful when you have to work too. I hope you have understanding colleagues and bosses X

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toPeterpiper1

It took me around three months for that 'treacle' feeling to go away. I likened it to trying to wade through chest high water wearing a triple weight belt but 'treacle' is also an apt description. I'm still on Bisoprolol 1.25mg and now only experience the treacle affect when I'm in the middle of another recurrent pericarditis flare. Otherwise I'm fine.

If it doesn't go away after another month you might want to talk with your GP or cardiologist to see if you can try a different beta blocker.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toSunnie2day

Sounds awful X

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toJils

There's worse things - I know without the Bisoprolol I wouldn't be in as good a shape as I am now. The recurrent pericarditis is wretched and it frightens me every time. But it does pass eventually and I can get back to working my way back to fitness.

Peterpiper1 profile image
Peterpiper1 in reply toSunnie2day

Thanks for the reply yes I will persevere for a few more weeks if no improvement I'll see gp.. If I can get an appointment lol.. They have slowed my hr and BP so that's a good thing. They are going to repair a ripped chord in the mitral valve. Take care x

Ireness profile image
Ireness

Have you had your thyroid checked? I wasn’t given treatment for my thyroid for many years which resulted in damage to my heart.

theminiaturist profile image
theminiaturist in reply toIreness

That is very interesting.I never thought that not being treated for an underactive thyroid, which I have, would cause damage to the heart. I have been diagnosed with mild heart failure two years ago now;it is left ventricular diastolic function yet the 24hour holter tape results were very reassuring.

I have been on thyroxine now for ten years and can go from feeling cold one minute to sweating the next. At present my TSH levels are quite high so I have had repeated blood tests and am awaiting results.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply totheminiaturist

Yes unfortunately it affects a lot of organs in your body. GP’s only go on TSH and don’t test for everything they should. All they’re interested in is if it’s within range ...not the optimal range for the individual person. There’s lots of information on the thyroid forum. My endocrinologist said she hoped not being medicated hadn’t affected my heart but it has. The cardiologist didn’t seem to know about the thyroid/heart connection though.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply totheminiaturist

Also, have your thyroid test done as early as possible in the morning (don’t take thyroxine for 24hrs before and fast ..water is ok)

theminiaturist profile image
theminiaturist in reply toIreness

I have never been informed about preparing for a TSH blood test in this way before, in fact it has never been mentioned. Plus I have never seen an endroclinologist;should someone on thyroxine be monitored by one rather than just blood tests at the doctors once every six months and how could I persuade my GP to send me to see one if my recent blood test still comes back as abnormal?

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply totheminiaturist

I only saw an endocrinologist because my GP wouldn’t prescribe thyroxine and told me my results were ‘normal’. She was really angry with the GP and wrote a scathing letter and gave me a prescription while I was there. Ideally TSH should be about 1 but GP’s say it’s normal as long as it’s below 5. Mine was nearly ‘10’ for many years and I was told it was normal. Also I have thyroid antibodies (Hashimotos) so wasn’t given any advice about gluten free diet or supplements which can help. You are entitled to ask for your blood results from your GP (they can’t refuse) and you’ll see for yourself what they are.

I don’t want people on here thinking that all heart problems are caused by thyroid dysfunction though but I sugggested it because of your symptoms

MyJinksy profile image
MyJinksy in reply toIreness

I have been on Thyroxine for 22 years and have the TSH checked during normal appointments, no one has ever mentioned the information you have provided. Usually they then decrease the amount I am taking. Does this mean that the timing between me taking my meds after breakfast and the morning appointments are giving incorrect readings? As I can do less and less and require laying down, not sleeping but not enough energy to sit, I get so depressed every time they call me in for a thyroid check.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply toMyJinksy

Unfortunately GP’s don’t tell you how to get an accurate reading. I only found out through the thyroid link on here and by looking at research results. If you take your medication before you have the test and don’t fast it won’t give an accurate reading. Also TSH levels vary during the day and bloods should really be done as early as possible (ideally no later than 8am). GP’s don’t test to see how you convert thyroxine or test for antibodies either. I get private tests done now via Medichecks or Blue Horizon. If you go on the Thyroid UK site there’s a wealth of information. Most GP’s aren’t keen on you getting private tests done but my Endocrinologist was more than happy with them

Yes. I've never felt the cold before but have to wrap up warm now.

I was feeling cold up till just a month or two ago but I seem to have gotten to where I now feel the heat, just like I used. Maybe we get better with coping when we get used to the meds? But I do still get fatigued/tired

Dempo profile image
Dempo

Just wanted to say I have found wearing a silk scarf round my neck very helpful and comforting. Must be pure silk!

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur

I've got an electrically heated cushion with pockets to put your hands or feet into....it's absolutely brilliant and didn't cost the earth (CLIFFORD JAMES Heated Cushion)

Jils profile image
Jils in reply totunybgur

Oh that sounds heaven! Will take a look X

Crochetwoman profile image
Crochetwoman in reply totunybgur

Brilliant. Now just to find a nose warmer. I’m up to 5mg Bisoprolol and feeling it again 🥶

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur in reply toCrochetwoman

Google 'nose warmer'.....there's lots available, you just need sufficient nerve to go out in public wearing one.

I would need one with some form of guttering and a drainage system included ;-)

Crochetwoman profile image
Crochetwoman in reply totunybgur

Nose is only cold if I’m sitting in the evening. Scarf good but looks odd. Don’t care though.

Have to take lots of tissues on walks if heading up a hill( and I’m not talking Munroes). The drips keep giving!🤧

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18

I take a hot water bottle in the car with me! It helps until the car warms up.

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

have a look for 'Snoods' on amazon, etc.

Jils profile image
Jils in reply toIanc2

Will take a look 😊 X

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

Have a look at weathernetwork.com. a major weather bomb is about to hit Canada, with its accompanying cold fronts. Site explains very clearly the effects of wind-chill and frostbite and explains how to avoid your contact lenses freezing to your eyeballs.

Ok. It's a bit over the top, but it makes for interesting reading.

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