Maha Kumbh 2025 is making headlines with the immense footfall for its hype and all kinds of content floating all over the social media. Amidst all the religious and spiritual enthusiasm, a serious health concern has heightened among the devotees. At least 11 attendees at Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj have reportedly suffered heart attacks, with two of them in a critical condition.
Experts are linking this incident to the extreme temperature along with the ‘Amrit Snaan’ event on Makar Sankranti. As per the reports, over one crore devotees took a dip in the icy waters at the Triveni Sangam on Tuesday. The harsh weather conditions, along with the contact with extremely cold water of the Ganges, led to unfavourable circumstances for people with heart conditions.
Understanding The Impact Of Cold Weather On Heart Health
As per Dr Ankur Phatarpekar, Director Cathlab and Interventional Cardiologist, Symbiosis Hospital, Mumbai, the incidence of cardiovascular issues, majorly heart attacks, increase significantly during winter season. During winters, low temperatures can pose unique challenges for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. The reasons for which are as follows:
Vasoconstriction
Vasoconstriction means the narrowing of blood vessels, which can slow down or restrict blood flow. Low temperatures led the blood vessels in the body to narrow to reduce heat loss. This constriction forces the heart to pump harder, which can put a significant stress on the cardiovascular system.
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Additional Stress To The Heart
During extreme cold, the body works harder to maintain the internal temperature. This puts additional stress on the cardiovascular system and can lead to serious complications for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Increased Risk Of Angina
For individuals with heart problems, the reduced temperature during winters can trigger coronary events like cardiac ischemia, where the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. This can lead to angina, commonly referred to as chest pain.
Tips For People With Heart Diseases During Winters
People with heart-related issues must take precautions during the winter season. Here are some practical tips by Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai:
Stay Warm
During the winters, it is very important to keep yourself warm and retain body temperature by wearing multiple layers of clothing. Make sure to use thermal innerwears and insulated shoes and ensure that your head and limbs are adequately covered.
Limit Outdoor Exposure
Try to avoid going outside when the temperature drops. If it’s necessary or completely unavoidable, do so during the warmest part of the day.
Avoid Over-exerting Yourself
Any kind of physical exertion can prove to be dangerous for people with heart-related ailments. Hence, avoid any strenuous activity including heavy lifting and extended periods of walking. Understand your limitations and seek support for strenuous tasks.
Avoid Consuming Alcohol
A lot of people tend to consume alcohol to combat extreme cold, but it is completely inadvisable especially in the case of heart patients. Alcohol can give a false sense of warmth by dilating the blood vessels near the skin surface. Instead of providing warmth, it leads to rapid heat loss from vital organs which can be dangerous in freezing temperatures.
Get Vaccinated
During the winters, there is an increased risk of respiratory infections like the flu, that can put additional strain on the heart. Hence, it is advised to get a flu shot administered as it can help protect individuals from any such complications.
Bottomline
Though the spiritual enthusiasm of the devotees is highly admirable, it is equally crucial to understand the importance of maintaining their physical well-being. The recent cases of heart attacks at the Maha Kumbh Mela serves as a stark reminder of how extreme weather can exacerbate existing health conditions. Hence, it is advised to accept one’s limitations and take necessary precautions to safeguard their overall health.