top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Cold wave triggers spike in cardiac arrests

Mumbai : As winter temperatures go for a spin across the country, hospitals are witnessing a significant surge of around 25-30 pc in cardiac emergencies, a top cardiologist said.   According to Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Hemant Khemani of Apex Group of Hospitals, cold air directly affects how the heart functions.   “Low temperatures make blood vessels tighten. When the arteries narrow, blood pressure shoots up and the heart has to work harder to push the blood through the stiffened...

Cold wave triggers spike in cardiac arrests

Mumbai : As winter temperatures go for a spin across the country, hospitals are witnessing a significant surge of around 25-30 pc in cardiac emergencies, a top cardiologist said.   According to Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Hemant Khemani of Apex Group of Hospitals, cold air directly affects how the heart functions.   “Low temperatures make blood vessels tighten. When the arteries narrow, blood pressure shoots up and the heart has to work harder to push the blood through the stiffened vessels,” said Dr. Khemani.   Elaborating on the direct effects of cold air on heart functioning, he said that low temperatures make blood vessels tighten, when arteries narrow, blood pressure shoots up and the heart must work harder to push blood through stiffened vessels.   Winter also thickens the blood, increasing the likelihood of clot formation and these combined effects create a dangerous ‘demand-supply mismatch’ for oxygen, especially in people with existing heart conditions.   This trend has caused concern among cardiologists as it adds to India’s already heavy cardiovascular diseases burden – with nearly one in four deaths linked to heart and blood vessel problems.   Dr. Khemani said that sudden temperature transitions - from warm rooms to chilly outdoors - can put additional strain on the heart and risks. “This abrupt shift loads the cardiovascular system quickly, raising the risk of a sudden (cardiac) event among vulnerable individuals.”   Lifestyle Patterns Added to these are the changes in lifestyle patterns during winter month that further amplify the danger. Most people reduce physical activities, eat richer foods, and often gain weight all of which combine to raise cholesterol levels, disrupt blood-sugar balance and push up blood pressure.   Complicating matters for the heart are the social gatherings during the cold season that tends to bring higher intake of smoking and alcohol, said Dr. Khemani.   Recommending basic preventive measures, Dr. Khemani said the chest, neck and hands must be kept warm to prevent heat loss, maintain a steady body temperature and reduce the chances of sudden blood pressure spikes, a low-salt diet, home-cooked meals, shot indoor walks post-eating, adequate hydration and at least seven hours of sleep.   He warns against ignoring warning signals such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, unexplained fatigue, or sudden sweating, pointing out that “early medical care can significantly limit heart damage and improve survival.”   The rise in winter heart risks is not unique to India and even global health agencies like World Health Federation and World Health Organisation report similar patterns.   The WHF estimates that more than 20 million people die of heart-related causes each year - equal to one life lost every 1.5 seconds, and the WHO has listed heart disease as the world’s leading cause of death for five consecutive years.   Seniors affected more by winter chills  Cold weather can hit the heart at any age, but the risk is noticeably higher for men aged above  45 and in women after 55, with the highest danger curve in people over 60, and elders with co-morbidities and history of heart diseases.   “People with existing cardiac problems face greater trouble in winter as the heart has to work harder. Even those without known heart disease can sometimes experience winter heart attacks, as chilly conditions may expose hidden blockages or trigger problems due to sudden exertion, heavy meals, smoking or dehydration,” Dr. Khemani told  ‘ The Perfect Voice’ .   However, contrary to perceptions, cold-weather heart issues have no connection to the COVID-19 vaccine, nor is there any scientific evidence linking the two, he assured.

Mumbai’s Demolished Kingdom

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

Milind Deora

Earlier this year, January sprang a surprise in political circles when Milind Deora, a former Congress Member of Parliament bid adieu to the party to join Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The ideologies were in sharp contrast and for the sauve South Mumbai-bred Milind, the Shiv Sena’s rough and tough politics seemed like a striking departure from his career graph.


The relationship between the Deoras and Gandhis has been legendary with Murli Deora known for his close relationship with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia. He joined the Congress in 1968 and then presided over the Mumbai party for 22 years. Hailing from a Marwari family with close connections with the business world, Murli was the bridge between the Congress and the captains of the industry. He enjoyed a good rapport with heads of states from different parts of the world and used his diplomacy to attract investment. He was also known to raise funds for the Congress through the business houses that he maintained warm relations with, making him a key asset for his party.


Murli bhai, as he was known in Mumbai and in the party, began his political career as a corporator and then became a mayor in 1977 with support from Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. He led the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee for two decades and effectively strengthened the party in Mumbai. Being elected from the same constituency for seven terms is no mean feat and is a reflection of his popularity in the South Mumbai which he represented in Parliament. He won widespread recognition when, through his efforts, the Supreme Court banned smoking in public places in 2001.


His son Milind entered electoral politics as a Member of Parliament in 2009 and the father-son duo were part of the Manmohan Singh-led government. The senior Deora was the minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas for a long time while his son was a junior minister for shipping. Milind’s brother Mukul, however, has stayed away from politics and is a musician and a film producer.


A three-term Member of Parliament, Milind was once known to be close friends with Rahul Gandhi but relations between the two families seem to have soured with Milind quitting the party. Now a Rajya Sabha MP, he was tasked with managing the Congress’ election campaign for Worli during this year’s Lok Sabha polls. As the two sections of the Shiv Sena fight each other in Worli, Milind is pitted against incumbent MLA Aditya Thackeray. The contest in Worli will see the heirs of two prominent political families fight to win this constituency.

Comments

bottom of page