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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.

US executes massive military buildup across Indian ocean and Indo-Pacific"


This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows six U.S. B-2 bombers stationed at Diego Garcia
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows six U.S. B-2 bombers stationed at Diego Garcia

As global attention remained fixated on Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff actions and their implications, the United States made a significant military move—quietly but powerfully—in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific region.


The US military has now carried out its largest-ever B-2 stealth bomber deployment in this area. Satellite imagery reveals at least six B-2 bombers stationed at the US-UK joint base in Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean. It’s possible even more aircraft are housed in hangars that satellites and radar can’t detect.


To put this into perspective, the US owns just 20 B-2 bombers—among the world’s most sophisticated stealth aircraft. Deploying six of them to this region means nearly 30% of its total B-2 fleet is now positioned here, marking a huge strategic shift.


Alongside this, Washington plans to bolster its aircraft carrier presence in the Indo-Pacific—expanding from one to three. Two carriers are set to operate in the Indian Ocean and one in the western Pacific, close to the South China Sea.


The Pentagon has confirmed that the USS Carl Vinson will head toward the Middle East, while the USS Harry S. Truman continues its mission in the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, the USS Nimitz, accompanied by its carrier strike group, is en route to the South China Sea.


But the military build-up doesn’t end there. According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth has also “ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets to strengthen our air support and defense posture.” However, he did not go into specifics about the nature of these deployments.


What’s Behind This Major Deployment?

The Pentagon has stated this move is to reinforce America’s defensive readiness in the region. “The United States and its partners remain committed to regional security and are ready to respond to any state or non-state actor attempting to escalate conflict,” the Department of Defense noted.


The Yemen Factor and the Houthis

Though no specific countries or groups were mentioned, military analysts believe this might be a response to the escalating tensions in the Middle East and South Asia—particularly involving Iran and Yemen. In recent weeks, President Trump has stepped up attacks against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, a group accused of launching strikes on US military and commercial vessels in retaliation for America’s support of Israel.


Iran and its network of regional allies—including the Houthis—have supported Hamas, the group currently at war with Israel and labeled a terrorist organization by the US.


Despite these developments, defense experts argue that the scale of America’s deployment far exceeds what’s necessary to confront just the Houthis or Iran. Two B-2 bombers alone—with a combined payload capacity of 80,000 pounds—would likely be more than enough for any mission in Yemen.


Last week, President Trump took a firm stance, warning Iran and the Houthis through a post on Truth Social:


“Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran.”


The Iran Nuclear Issue

Recently, Trump has been pressuring Tehran to renegotiate its nuclear agreement—a demand Iran has firmly rejected. In a Fox News interview, he stated, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal, because I'm not looking to hurt Iran.”


During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord, calling it a “bad deal,” and reinstated sanctions. Since then, Iran has significantly exceeded the nuclear limitations set by that agreement.


Now, Trump is pushing for a new, stricter deal. If Tehran refuses to engage in talks, Washington may consider targeting and destroying Iran’s nuclear research sites and weapons facilities.


Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized on Thursday: “The Secretary of Defence continues to make clear that, should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people.”


Though nuclear negotiations were not directly addressed, the message was clear.


Message to China and Russia

Experts also believe that this large-scale deployment sends a strong signal to China and Russia—both of whom are known allies of Iran.


The arrival of the USS Nimitz in the western Pacific is a pointed message to China, signaling that the US is committed to defending its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.


Likewise, the USS Carl Vinson’s presence in the Middle East is seen as a warning to Moscow.

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