Cold weather significantly impacts heart health, particularly for individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD). As temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict to conserve heat, increasing your heart rate and causing poor circulation to your extremities. This can exacerbate PAD symptoms in cold weather, such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.
There may be an uptick in strokes and heart attacks for individuals with these environmental stressors and underlying vascular diseases during winter.
Understanding the risk factors associated with cold weather and vascular health can help you better identify warning signs and know when to seek medical attention from a vascular specialist. If you’re worried about how the cold weather may affect you, schedule a consultation with a specialist at USA Vascular Centers today.
The Impact of Cold Weather on Your Vascular Health
When the temperatures drop, the body naturally responds to the changes in weather by trying to generate heat through muscle contractions. This is an involuntary reflex that is a natural response to drastic changes in temperature.
If you experience shivers along with slurred speech, cold extremities, or a weak pulse, it could be a serious symptom. These signs might indicate a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Cold weather and vascular disease trigger natural physiological responses to help regulate body temperature and blood pressure. These responses can lead to:
- Vasoconstriction: Vasoconstriction occurs when the blood vessels in the arteries narrow, decreasing blood flow to the lower extremities. When the blood vessels constrict excessively in the cold, it can lead to a condition called Raynaud’s disease.
- Increased Risk of Blood Clots: Vasoconstriction caused by cold weather can also increase your risk of blood clots. The decrease in blood flow can lead to clotting or serious conditions such as stroke or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Masking Serious Conditions: The cold can cause fever-like symptoms in PAD patients, masking signs of serious vascular conditions. This can make it more challenging to diagnose your condition accurately or to know when to see a doctor.
- Increase Risk of Stroke or Heart Attack: A strain on the vascular system can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack for individuals with PAD, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions.
If you are worried about being at risk, schedule a vascular health screening at USA Vascular Centers. Our vascular screenings use noninvasive, advanced imaging technology to assess the health of your arteries and veins, helping detect early signs of disease or complications.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Cold Weather
Individuals with PAD may notice the cold weather challenges that come with it, such as symptoms worsening during the colder months. Restricted blood flow to the lower extremities can cause increased numbness and pain in the legs and feet, making everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs more difficult in a cold environment.
When PAD symptoms worsen during cold weather, they can often be mixed up with other winter health conditions, such as:
- Hypothermia: Numbness in the legs and feet is a common symptom of both PAD and hypothermia. However, hypothermia numbness is also accompanied by blue or pale skin, slurred speech, or rapid breathing.
- Frostbite: Numbness in the lower extremities and vasoconstriction can increase your risk of frostbite.
- Chilblains: PAD and chilblains also have overlapping symptoms such as swelling, numbness, and tingling. Chilblains may also cause itching, redness, or a burning sensation.
This is why it is important to seek help from a vascular specialist if you have Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or if you are worried that you may be at risk for PAD or other vascular conditions. Early diagnosis can help stop PAD progression before it reaches severe stages that impact mobility and independence. USA Vascular Centers offers non-surgical treatment options for PAD so you can maintain a healthy life free of painful symptoms.
Available PAD Treatment Options
If you have PAD, consider scheduling a consultation with a vascular specialist to discuss treatment options. Treatment can help lessen the severity of your symptoms and improve mobility. At USA Vascular Centers, we offer three non-surgical treatment options which include:
- Angioplasty: A balloon is inflated inside the artery to compress the plaque against the artery wall, improving blood flow.
- Stent Placement: Following an angioplasty, a mesh stent is placed into the artery to keep it propped open and maintain blood flow.
- Atherectomy: A small blade or laser removes accumulated plaque to restore better circulation.
Protect Your Vascular Health and PAD in Cold Weather
Cold weather can be tough on your vascular system, especially if you have PAD. Here are some tips to keep your circulation flowing smoothly:
- Schedule a Check-Up: If you’re at an increased risk, consider scheduling a vascular health screening to evaluate the health of your arteries and veins.
- Dress Warm: Dressing warm can minimize the heart workload and help you maintain a healthy body temperature.
- Stay Active Indoors: If it’s too cold outside to exercise, consider switching to an indoor workout routine.
- Monitor Your Health: Know the warning signs and monitor your blood pressure. Seek medical treatment if your body is exhibiting signs of cold weather stress.
- Avoid Strenuous Activities: Strenuous activities can put extra strain on your vascular system. Instead, consider switching to low-impact activities.
When to See a Vascular Doctor
An estimated six million people have asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) without ever knowing it. This silent condition can lead to serious, life-threatening complications.
Are you concerned you are at a higher risk of PAD? Are you:
- Experiencing PAD symptoms
- Are over the age of 50
- Have a history of vascular disease in your family
- Regularly smoker
- Have diabetes
Scheduling an appointment for a routine vascular screening can provide an accurate diagnosis. If you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or chronic leg cramps, seek medical treatment immediately.
Schedule a Consultation With a Vascular Specialist Today
Prolonged exposure to cold winter temperatures can put individuals with PAD or other underlying health issues at an increased risk. However, preventative measures and early detection can help protect your vascular health in cold weather.
USA Vascular Centers offers routine vascular screenings and personalized treatment plans for individuals who are at risk for PAD or have been diagnosed with PAD. For more information, schedule a consultation online or call us at 888.773.2193 today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can being cold raise blood pressure?
Yes, cold weather can cause vasoconstriction, which in turn increases your heart rate and impacts blood pressure.
Can cold weather and PAD cause a heart attack?
Individuals with preexisting vascular conditions such as PAD are at an increased risk of heart attack. If you’re experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, seek medical treatment immediately.
Does cold weather increase/lower heart rate?
Cold weather does not necessarily increase heart rate. In fact, it can often lead to a decrease in heart rate as the body attempts to conserve energy.
However, the connection between cold weather, PAD, and heart health lies in the body’s response to cold stress. When exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the extremities. This can be particularly problematic for individuals with PAD, as their blood vessels are already narrowed.
How does cold weather affect people with peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
Cold weather causes blood vessels to tighten, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet and worsening PAD symptoms such as pain and numbness. People with PAD should dress warmly and limit time in the cold to protect their circulation and seek treatment for further symptom relief.
