Increased risk of heart attack due to cold weather

NHS England has warned that heart attacks increase almost immediately after a ‘cold snap’ and that accounts for two in five winter excess deaths, as well as the same proportion of NHS excess winter admissions.

Hospitals also see a rise in the admission of stroke patients five days after the cold weather begins and peak respiratory admissions go up 12 days after the temperature drops.

The number of admissions is also linked to colder weather circulating viral infections, one of which is flu. Older people who may be frail, or who have existing health conditions, are particularly at risk.

Last winter there were 400,000 additional A&E attendances, bringing the total to more than 7.5 million. There was an increase of 5.6 per cent on the previous year.

The NHS is therefore advising the public to take sensible precautions to ensure they minimise the after effects of extreme cold weather. The elderly are advised to keep warm, both indoors and out.

Keith Willett, NHS England national director for acute care, said: “What the public are unaware of is the immediate knock on effect of the cold weather. Patients who have pre-existing conditions may not be aware that they are most at risk of falling ill in the days after temperatures drop.

“This also adds pressure on already busy A&E departments and can be avoided by taking simple steps to keep well. Those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions and particularly the elderly should take care to keep their homes properly heated and get their flu jabs.

“We are also asking the public to keep an eye on any elderly neighbours they might have who are the most vulnerable during the winter months.”