COLD HEART RISK - Heart attacks dramatically more deadly in winter months, study finds

The risk of dying from a heart attack was found to be 40 per cent higher in winter


But the risk of dying within a month of a severe heart attack was 40 per cent higher during the coldest months.

Lead researcher Dr Arvin Krishnamurthy, from Leeds General Infirmary, said treatment delays during the busy winter period may explain why they are more lethal.

And victims may also be affected by bugs such as cold and flu, which are more likely to be circulating.

Dr Arvin said: “There is no physical reason why a heart attack, even the most severe, should be more deadly in winter than in summer so we must do further research to find the cause of this difference and remedy it.

In the UK, someone goes to hospital with a heart attack every three minutes

“Potential explanations could include longer time to treatment, prolonged hospitalisation and delays to discharge, and increased prevalence of winter-associated infections, which in the sickest patients, could be potentially lethal.”

Overall, the risk of dying within 30 days of a heart was 20 per cent in warmer months and 28 per cent during cold times of the year.

The findings were presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester.

In the UK, someone goes to hospital with a heart attack every three minutes.



Autor: Thesun
Fonte: Thesun
Sítio Online da Publicação: Thesun
Data de Publicação: 06/06/2018
Publicação Original: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6459877/heart-attacks-more-deadly-winter/