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...

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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.

Pager Blasts: A Global Threat?

Ruddhi Phadke
Sep 22, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Imagine ending your day, exhausted, but pausing before using your phone, laptop, or car radio. In Lebanon, such hesitation is now part of daily life. A new wave of terror – reportedly triggered by Israel in its relentless campaign to cripple Hezbollah - has shaken the country, with explosive devices embedded in pagers, walkie-talkies, and even solar cells. The devastation is staggering: over 30 dead and nearly 3,000 injured. This is a conflict not fought with drones or tanks, but with the very electronics that power modern life.

The scale and sophistication of these attacks suggest a well-calculated strategy aimed at spreading fear and chaos. While the immediate target is Hezbollah, the potential for this digital warfare to spread beyond Lebanon is a terrifying prospect. As nations like Iran, Syria, and other anti-Israel forces watch with alarm, the world is left asking: is anyone safe from this new form of electronic sabotage?

What began as an isolated conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could have far-reaching consequences. The attacks on electronic devices, now a critical part of daily life, have sparked fears that the entire supply chain - spanning from manufacturers in Taiwan and Japan to retail outlets worldwide - may become tainted. Consumers, already jittery from rising global tensions, could begin to shy away from the very products that keep the world connected.

The implications are clear - a decline in consumer trust, economic shockwaves, and a scramble to implement expensive screening technologies across global markets. Yet the fear of such attacks going mainstream is what truly haunts policymakers. Israel and Hezbollah are not the only adversaries with deep-seated rivalries. With tensions simmering between Russia and Ukraine, China and its neighbours in Southeast Asia, and even India and Pakistan, it is not hard to imagine this new form of electronic sabotage becoming a favoured tactic in global conflicts.

India, with its large population and dependency on imported electronics, is particularly vulnerable. Consider the fact that a vast portion of the world’s consumer electronics are made in China - a country with which India has an uneasy relationship. Moreover, Pakistan, which has long sought to destabilize India, could see this as an opportunity to stir chaos, possibly with support from other regional players like China or Turkey.

The potential for widespread harm is clear. India has been no stranger to terrorist attacks, from the 2006 Mumbai train bombings to the 26/11 attacks. And while the country has developed a robust defence against conventional terror, the emerging threat of electronic sabotage demands new, preventive measures. If India is to avoid disaster, advanced detection systems will need to be implemented across the country - at ports, airports, and even consumer electronics stores. This will undoubtedly add costs, but in a world where electronic warfare could become the new norm, the investment is a small price to pay.

As nations worldwide grapple with the implications of Israel’s latest campaign against Hezbollah, one thing is certain: the old rules of war no longer apply. With the ability to turn everyday electronics into weapons, this digital conflict is reshaping the global security landscape. Nations will need to rethink how they approach security, trade, and diplomacy in an era where any device could be a Trojan horse.

For Lebanon, the immediate aftermath is grim: a country on edge, citizens afraid of their own devices. But the rest of the world, too, must confront the unsettling reality that digital sabotage is no longer a far-off possibility. It is here to stay, and is a threat that no nation can afford to ignore.