How to protect cardiovascular disease in winter

　　The temperature drops sharply in winter, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases enter a period of high incidence. At this time of year, the number of sudden hospitalizations due to myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction increases significantly. Especially for middle-aged and elderly people, the ability to regulate blood vessels decreases, and a little carelessness may lead to serious consequences. In fact, many tragedies can be avoided through scientific prevention. How to protect cardiovascular disease in winter? The key lies in five aspects: warmth, diet, exercise, living habits and regular management.

How to protect cardiovascular disease in winter

　　Cold stimulation in winter can cause vasoconstriction, increase blood pressure, increase blood viscosity, increase the burden on the heart, and can easily induce serious problems such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Especially when the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, the risk is higher in the morning. Therefore, cardiovascular protection is not only an urgent need for patients with chronic diseases, but also a "required course" for everyone's winter health.

　　1. Keep warm from cold and avoid "cold stimulation"”

　　Hypothermia is the “number one enemy” of cardiovascular disease. Traditional Chinese medicine says that "cold controls the contraction of blood", and cold can cause blood vessels to spasm and blood flow to be sluggish. It is recommended to wear a hat and scarf when going out to protect your head and neck ； Avoid exercising too early in the morning. It is best to wait until the sun comes out and the temperature rises before doing activities. The indoor temperature should also be maintained at a suitable temperature to avoid hot and cold periods.

　　2. Eat a light diet and eat more "heart-protecting foods"”

　　Supplements should be moderate in winter and avoid excessive intake of high-fat foods such as fat cattle and sheep to prevent blood lipids from soaring. You should choose more high-quality protein such as fish and shrimp, and supplement foods that help generate nitric oxide and help expand blood vessels. Also eat more foods rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants:

　　Red fruits and vegetables: tomatoes (containing lycopene), sweet potatoes (laxative and lipid-lowering), red peppers (rich in vitamin C)；

　　Coarse grains and beans: corn, barley, oats；

　　Sticky ingredients: fungus and kelp, can help lower cholesterol；

　　Green leafy vegetables: High-fiber vegetables such as celery can help control blood pressure.

　　Although hot pot warms the body, the ingredients are salty and greasy. It is recommended to dip the dish less in oil and rinse the vegetables more. Drinking more water after eating is not good. It can easily cause a sudden increase in blood volume. People with high blood pressure need to be especially vigilant.

　　3. Moderate exercise, not strenuous or fasting

　　Exercise can improve blood circulation, but it should not be strenuous in winter. Mild methods such as walking, jogging, and Tai Chi are recommended, each session lasting about 30 minutes. Do not go out to exercise on an empty stomach or right after getting up to avoid arrhythmia or myocardial infarction.

　　4. Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce the burden on the heart.

　　Smoking increases heart rate, blood pressure, and promotes thrombosis； Excessive drinking inhibits myocardial contractility. Patients with cardiovascular disease must strictly stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to prevent acute events.

　　5. Take medication regularly and have regular physical examinations

　　People with underlying diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease should not stop taking the medicine or reduce the dosage without authorization. In winter, blood pressure and blood lipids should be monitored and medication should be taken on time. If necessary, drugs that can treat the heart and brain, such as Wufu Xinnaoqing Soft Capsules, can be used under the guidance of a doctor to help stabilize the condition.

Health precautions for different groups of people in winter

　　1.Elderly people

　　Elderly people need to focus on protecting their heads, necks and feet in winter, and wear thick hats, scarves and warm shoes when going out.； Avoid excessive temperature differences indoors and open windows for ventilation. The diet should be mainly warming and tonic, eat more yams, mutton, etc., and eat less raw and cold foods. ； Take a gentle walk for 15-20 minutes every day, bask in the sun to replenish your yang energy, and avoid strenuous exercise that depletes your energy.

　　2.Children

　　Children's heads dissipate heat quickly, so they must wear soft and skin-friendly warm hats and windproof and warm clothing when going out to avoid exposing their ears, hands and feet. Eat a balanced diet, eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and high-quality protein to enhance immunity ； Reduce going to crowded places, wash hands frequently, and prevent influenza ； Choose outdoor activities at noon on a sunny day to avoid getting cold during low temperature periods.

　　3. Ordinary adults

　　Adults need to avoid staying up late in winter and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep to help hide Yang Qi.； If your diet is less spicy and greasy, you can drink ginger-date tea and mutton soup in moderation to warm and dispel dampness. Get up and move around for 5 minutes every hour during work breaks to avoid sitting for too long and getting cold ； Choose gentle exercises such as brisk walking and yoga. After sweating, dry yourself in time to keep warm to prevent cold and dampness from invading and causing discomfort.

　　To protect the heart in winter, the key is "stability" - stable mood, stable body temperature, stable blood pressure, and stable work and rest. As long as you keep warm, eat the right food, exercise reasonably, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and adhere to management, you can survive the cold winter smoothly and truly "warm" your cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.