According to Dr Chandra, the elderly are more prone as their bodies are more vulnerable due to lower immunity levers or strength to resist the cold weather. "They also are not physically as active as a younger person is," he said.
With Delhi reaching the season's lowest recorded temperature at 3.2 degrees on Saturday, the biting cold took a toll on people's health. Over the last week, hospitals in the national capital witnessed a sudden spike in the heart-related ailments with elderly being the worst affected.
"There has been a 30 per cent increase in the patients visiting our department and the last three days has registered six new cases of cardiac arrest among the elderly," said Dr Subhash Chandra, chairman and head of department, Cardiology, BLK super-specialty hospital.
It's a similar story at most city hospitals. "We are receiving three new patients every day in the last five days. Those having pre-existing heart diseases are the worst sufferers. The survival rate depends upon the cardiac arrest, and generally is 70-80 per cent. People in the age group of 60-85 years are the worst affected," said Dr Viveka Kumar, director, Cath Lab, Max hospital, Saket.
According to Dr Chandra, the elderly are more prone as their bodies are more vulnerable due to lower immunity levers or strength to resist the cold weather. "They also are not physically as active as a younger person is," he said.
The minimum temperature recorded in Delhi on Monday was 10 degree Celsius while the maximum hovered around 19 degrees Celsius. As per the Indian Metrological Department (IMD), the capital is going to witness more cold waves in the next two days.
Experts say cold weather thickens blood resulting into clot formation and may cause rupture of coronary arteries laden with cholesterol plaques. This results in more frequent heart attacks during the winter season.
As the winter sets in, the cases of heart attack and cardia arrest go up every year. Not only elderly people, but even the new born are prone to diseases like pneumonia, malaria and jaundice.
Family members are advised to consult a doctor at the slightest sight of discomfort among your parents and elderly members in family. In the cases of cardiac arrest, one can always try to help the patient by giving a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It should be performed immediately on a person who has become unconscious and is found to have no pulse.
"Sadly, due to lack of awareness, not many know how to perform a CPR. A life can be saved if you know how to perform a CPR," said Dr Nikhil Kumar, director, cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.
Take care of your heart this winter
Have frequent and relatively light meals (5-6 times a day), and avoid heavy meals
Warm beverages and foods help preserve body heat
Even while at home, keep active to increase blood flow and raise body heat
Avoid alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine
The elderly must engage in physical activity and keep blood thinners handy
Go get out in the sun
Have 8-10 glasses of water a day
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