Extreme cold temperatures I’m not used to causing chest pain when walking to work

[Westie2012]

Temperatures at freezing yesterday when I walked to work , only a ten minute walk but uphill most of the way , for a few minutes I had sudden very sharp chest pains and felt a bit out of breath which stopped me walking for a few minutes , it was quite scary and I honestly thought if it carried on I’d need to call 999, thankfully it passed and I carried on to work with no problems . Temperatures are the same today so I’m hoping I won’t have a repeat of yesterday . Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this in extremely cold temperatures .

[Lezzers]

Cold temperatures are not good for your heart as it has to work harder. Try wearing a scarf across you mouth while you're out so that you're breathing in warm air rather than cold air.

[befreed437]

Hi Westie2012 I am in the same boat as you. I was having shap chest pains on and off and decided to take myself to a&e. They ran all the tests and blood works and just said it's just the muscles contracting and the cold weater does make it worse.

I would get yourself checked out if your worried and I agree with lezzers wrap up well.

It's not nice in the cold when you have health issues.

Good luck

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

The cold is the main trigger for my angina.I keep warm by wearing lots of layers of clothes, a hat, 2 pairs of gloves and a snood to cover my nose and mouth.

I walk more slowly and take my time. I allow extra time no rushing in the cold.

The strain of the cold on my heart, increases my heartrate which then triggers my angina.

I agree with the others perhaps get checked out. The first time I had angina was when I was going to work on a very cold frosty morning.

I will be walking my dog later today.

Stay warm and well.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Milkfairy]

Good advice on taking it slow.

I had a short walk to the warfarin clinic this morning and thought I'd take it briskly to minimise my time in the cold. This was revealed to be a bad plan in fairly short order, though fortunately with no dire consequences. 🤦‍♂️

[Grenfell37]

The first piece of advice my cardiologist gave me was: buy a big warm winter coat and thermal gloves and stay out of the heat, stay below 23 degrees. Both make the heart work harder. She was right!

[KeepingHealthy]

Hi, I asked the same question earlier this week because it triggers off my AF. I was worried about going out for a walk this morning, but I put on my warmest winter coat, hat and gloves. Kept my chest and neck covered and was fine. Walking on an incline gives me chest pain too, take it slow and steady and keep warm.

[Crystal614]

I have the same problem. I have to wrap up extra warm. I have a really good insulated coat. Hat, scarf, and sometimes two pairs of gloves.

[Taviterry]

Tomorrow I have a hospital appointment with a cardiologist. I had thought of taking a taxi, but there are several shops I need to visit. So the plan is to walk ten minutes to a bus stop (hoping that the 30-minute service is on time), then "leap-frog" between six different shops in 700 yards, visit the library, and then take the bus from outside to the library. If I keep moving outside, I should be OK. Not sure whether to wear my trusty school duffel coat bought in 1959!

[Kind51]

Hello, I am suffering from what is thought to be Vasospastic Angina for this last year. Cold air is the main trigger of my chest pain. Sub zero temperatures cause the most severe symptoms. The chest discomfort feels like a pressure/heaviness. I had an episode the other day which felt like an intense pinching sensation in my chest and very different to my usual pain - it only lasted less than a minute but worried me. I went from able to walk briskly to work last summer to not being able to walk far in the middle of winter without chest pain. I have tried to manage the cold of winter by wearing a body warmer under my coat and wrapping a scarf round my mouth. Get this checked. Best of luck.

[Kind51]

Just to add, after reading other people's comments, I can't rush in the cold either. After rushing around getting ready for work last winter on cold mornings my chest would tighten. I have to take my time now.

[bluemoon572]

Don't ignore any chest distress that is brought on by exertion and rather quickly relieved by resting. It could be angina. Cold temperatures place more demand on your circulation. Inform your GP of this symptom, especially if it recurs.

[Zerohere]

Over 2 years ago same scenario however my discomfort was like indigestion in my chest area.

This happened a couple of times during the week went to the doctor who suspected angina and put me on GTN spray.

After a couple of weeks it all passed and I got back to normality, to be honest forgot all about it, in fact never used the spray, 10 months after the episode I got a letter to see a specialist nurse.

I went to the appointment and her words you’ve got angina, I dissed her comments and argued my case that I was fit and healthy, going to the gym hadn’t drastically changed my lifestyle.

The bottom line they thought something suspicious was going on but it was up to me whether I wanted a ultrasound, I took the offer up as I felt I needed to know if something else was happening ie a chest infection or lung issue.

I had the ultrasound and heard nothing this was February this year and carried on as normal.

I was sent for a further investigations in June and they proved inconclusive and angiogram in September.

I’m now awaiting a bypass, over 2 years to get to this point.

My advice get checked out.