Be aware of how long you’re exposed to the elements, particularly if you’re an older child or have an actual cardiovascular state, as the temperatures drop. Zip up your coat, take on a hat and gloves.
The spirit, the mind, and other vital organs may be impacted by severe cold, or perhaps prolonged exposure to normal winter temperatures.
Dr. Haitham Khraishah, a preventive physician at University Hospitals Harrington Heart &, Vascular Institute and an associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said,” Each and every program of the body may be affected.”
How the brain loses steam
When exposed to the cold, the body can reduce heating faster than it’s produced. The body uses up its stored power over time, and the body temperature starts to drop. Long-term subjection to the warm – especially if the body’s primary temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit – can lead to cold, frost and other issues.
According to Khraishah, there are many ways for the body to reduce heat.
Around 60 % of heat loss is caused by energy; steam just radiates from the brain into the surrounding air. Conduction and condensation, which occur when a man touches a cool object like the steering wheel of a car, or when a cold wind touches the body, also cause the body to reduce heat. Heat can even leave the body as a result of evaporation, such as when one sweats while running, shoveling snow, or otherwise exerting themselves in warm weather.
According to Dr. E. John Wipfler III, a clinical professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and an attending emergency doctor at OSF Healthcare St Francis Medical Center in Peoria, individuals also can reduce temperature by breathing in warm weather and breathing out warm, damp weather.
He claimed that simply breathing removes a significant amount of thermal energy from the warm air that is absorbed into the lungs.
The circulatory system and cool
Blood vessels constrict when the air temperature drops to prevent heat damage and keep blood circulating around the heart’s core.
” Our heart’s goal is to protect vital tissues”, Khraishah said. ” Bloodstream is moving away from this area to the edge, which is why fingers and toes get warm.”
However, this raises blood pressure, which can cause heart attacks or strokes, particularly in those who already have higher cardiovascular challenges. Severe cold may even increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by making blood swell and making it more susceptible to clotting.
Khraishah published , a paper in the journal Stroke , last year that found extreme heat – both hot and cold – increased the risk of dying from a injury. Various studies have found that during periods of extreme chilly, a greater risk of death from various cardiovascular conditions, particularly brain malfunction, is present. Following warm weather, admissions for heart attacks have also been shown to fall.
Cool and the lung program
According to Khraishah, people who have asthma, chronic lung disease, or other respiratory problems or illnesses are more vulnerable when the temperature drops because the airways are irritated by warm, dry weather. This leads to greater disease and causes muscle around the airline to compress, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or a burning sensation in the neck, especially during activity.
Vulnerability to disease
In general, warm temperature is make people more susceptible to disease, Wipfler said.
” When frosty weather occurs, individuals tend to congregate indoors, in more crowded conditions, making it easier for bacteria to distribute”, he said. What’s more, some viruses may succeed better in the cool, and the human immune system may shed some of its success.
The cold and dry weather “may dried out mucous membranes that cover the head, jaws and throat”, Khraishah said. ” If you get exposed to viruses or bacteria, they may get trapped in those tissues, so you lose your foundation of security.
Hypothermia and the mental
According to Wipfler, the cold that causes blood vessel constriction can affect mental function.
When the body’s main body temperature drops below 95 degrees Celsius, cold, which occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, becomes more prevalent. If the system gets chilled from rain, breath, or being in warm water, hypothermia may be caused by exposure to extreme cold or may happen during less warm temperatures.
Warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, slow breathing, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion, a puffy or swollen face and pale skin. Babies who have experienced hypothermia may have red, bright skin and a low energy level.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency, and early warning signs such as shivering should never be ignored, Wipfler said.
” Once you stop shivering, your chances of fixing yourself are gone, “he said. When this happens, the brain stops functioning properly and people are unable to make logical decisions. People who have experienced severe hypothermia might start to think they are too hot and take off their clothes as a last resort.
The , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends , seeking immediate medical help for hypothermia. If that isn’t available, restore body heat by getting the person into a warm room or shelter, removing wet clothing, warming their chest, neck, head and groin area with blankets, towels or sheets, and giving them warm drinks but no alcohol.
Frostbite
Prolonged exposure to the cold, when less blood flows to the extremities, also can cause frostbite. People who have poor blood flow are more vulnerable. Warning signs include numbness, pale or waxy skin, redness or pain.
If this occurs, the CDC advises escaping the cold and moving into a warmer environment right away. Avoid rubbing your feet or toes when they are frostbitten, as this could lead to even more harm. Instead, put the frostbitten areas in warm – not hot – water. Use body heat from other parts of the body to warm the area, such as by putting frostbitten hands or fingers in an armpit, if this is not possible. Use no heating pads or heat from a stove because the affected areas could easily burn.
Who is most vulnerable
According to Wipfler, both the very old and the very young are more prone to the cold than those in other age groups.
Older people may be affected by chronic conditions like diabetes, which prevents proper blood flow, or take medications that make it more difficult for them to stay warm. People with memory problems may not be able to remember to dress appropriately for cold weather, and thyroid issues may make it more difficult for the body to regulate its temperature properly.
Because of their lower muscle mass, “people who are very old may have the disadvantage of being less able to shiver and generate heat,” Wipfler said. And young people lack the ability to change their surroundings or communicate effectively. Additionally, children have a higher body mass index, which increases the risk of hypothermia and other cold injuries.
How to keep warm
According to Wipfler, the first step to avoiding cold damage is to wear the right clothing, especially when going outdoors for a long period of time. Avoid being unprepared and subject to the elements, and dress for success. Make sure no skin is left exposed. Don’t forget to wear a neck wrap, a hat and gloves, not just a jacket.”
According to Khraishah, staying active while outside in the cold helps to generate body heat, but excessive exertion can do the opposite. Avoid vigorous physical activity because you will perspire and lose heat.
He advised using extra blankets to keep warm but not electric ones, which are a fire hazard.
Wipfler said warm drinks may help people stay warm outdoors, but alcohol should be avoided”. Although it can cause you to feel warmer, it also causes blood vessel dilation, urination, and dehydration. And alcohol makes it difficult to think clearly.
Smoking should also be avoided, he said.
Wipfler advised seeking shelter behind something that might block the wind or staying active if caught out in the cold or wind. If you don’t have the right clothing and can’t get to a warmer environment, work on generating heat, “he said”. Jump up and down to create thermal energy.”
Shivering is another way to generate heat, Wipfler said”. The brain sends a signal to the body to increase adrenaline, which is the primary cause of shivering. By repeatedly tightening your muscles, which will raise body temperature as energy is used in this muscle activity, you can make yourself shiver.
And don’t rely on thermometers to tell when the weather is too cold, Khraishah said. For instance, people who are used to living in colder climates may perform better than those who are suddenly exposed to the cold.
He said,” What your body is used to is more important than what it’s facing, compared to what it’s facing is.” What’s cold in Arizona is mild in Cleveland.”
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© 2025 American Heart Association, Inc
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