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Cold Wave Alert: Delhi Hospitals Warn of Serious Health Risks
13 Jan
Summary
- Cold weather stresses the heart, narrowing blood vessels and increasing heart attack risk.
- Diabetics face poorer blood sugar control due to reduced winter activity.
- Infants and children are highly susceptible to cold stress and respiratory infections.
National Capital Region hospitals are issuing urgent health warnings as the India Meteorological Department continues its cold wave alerts. Experts emphasize the physiological impacts of plunging temperatures, urging for policy-level preparedness to protect vulnerable populations.
Cardiologists note that winter cold constricts blood vessels, while reduced fluid intake and increased salt consumption can elevate blood pressure. This combination significantly raises the risk of cardiac events. For diabetics, reduced physical activity during colder months often leads to diminished blood sugar control, with pediatricians highlighting infants' extreme susceptibility to cold stress and respiratory infections.
Doctors also point to increased risks for kidney disease patients due to rising blood pressure in winter and for those with lung conditions like COPD and asthma, whose airways can constrict from cold air. They stress the importance of continuous medication, adequate hydration, limited salt intake, and keeping children warm.
