Information on winter maintenance for heart patients

Cardiac patients require special care during the winter, because of cold winter weather, human vascular constrictions and increased heart loads, which may induce or aggravate heart disease. The following is an indication of the winter maintenance of some heart patients:Care to keep warm. Add clothing: Sufficient warm clothing, such as hats, scarfs, gloves, thick coats, etc., must be added in time for the winter to leave, with a focus on the head, neck, hand, etc., to reduce heat dissipation, to avoid exposure to the cold environment, leading to vascular contractions, thus increasing the resistance of the heart pump and increasing the burden on the heart.• Regulation of indoor temperature: It is also recommended that indoor temperature be kept at about 18 – 22°C, which can be regulated by air conditioning, heating, etc., to create a warm and comfortable living environment and to prevent vascular convulsions caused by, inter alia, low indoor temperatures, which affect the function of the heart.Moderate motion — Selecting the appropriate mode of movement: Selecting some of the relatively mild and appropriate movements, such as walking, Tai Chi Kung Fu, eight bands, etc., to avoid violent sports, such as fast running, high-strength ball sports, which can cause excessive heart rate, sharp increase in blood pressure and stress on the heart. Motion intensity is appropriate for normal communication and slight sweating in the course of the exercise, with about 30 minutes per exercise and three to five per week.• Note the timing of exercise: the best possible choice is to exercise when the weather is relatively warm and suny, e.g. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., a relatively high temperature that reduces the adverse effects of cold weather on the body, while taking care to avoid extreme weather conditions such as wind and fog, to prevent respiratory infections and to increase the heart burden due to cold heat.Reasonable diet – Control of caloric intake: reasonable control of daily caloric intake in accordance with his/her physical condition and activity, to avoid overweighting and to increase the heart burden. Ingestion of high-quality proteins, such as skinny meat, fish, eggs, beans, etc., can be appropriately increased to increase the resilience of the body, while reducing intake of high fat, sugary foods, such as fried foods, pastries, animal internal organs, etc., in order to prevent blubber and sugar from rising and to affect cardiovascular health.Eat more fruit and vegetables: ensure daily intake of sufficient fresh vegetables and fruits, rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and dietary fibres, which help to reduce cholesterol, stabilize blood pressure and protect the cardiovascular environment. For example, spinach, broccoli, apples, oranges, etc. are more likely to be eaten, with a daily intake of not less than 500 grams for vegetables and around 200-300 grams for fruits.• Drinking water: While sweating is relatively low in the winter, drinking water cannot be ignored, ensuring a daily water intake of 1,500-2000 ml, mainly with a warmer water, helps to keep the blood cycle smooth, prevents blood from reaching high levels and increases the risk of haemorrhage formation.Prevention of respiratory infections — Attention to personal hygiene: development of a good practice of hand-washing, especially to reduce the transmission of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria when they come home from work and when they come into contact with public goods; and, to the extent possible, avoidance of access to densely populated, poorly ventilated places, such as malls, cinemas, etc., where necessary, wearing masks and reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases.• Immunisation: Increased immunity by means of a reasonable diet, adequate exercise, regularity, etc., and, under the guidance of a doctor, vaccinations against influenza, pneumococococcal, etc., in their own condition, can further increase resistance to respiratory infections, which can cause pneumonia, increase the heart burden and even induce serious complications such as heart failure.Routine: Ensuring a high-quality sleep of seven to eight hours per day, good sleep contributes to physical recovery, reduces heart fatigue, stabilizes blood pressure and heart rate. The quality of sleep can be improved by creating a quiet, comfortable and dark sleep environment, avoiding the use of electronic equipment before sleeping, avoiding the use of strong tea or coffee.• Avoiding late-night and overwork: to keep as regular a life as possible, to avoid staying up late, working for long periods of time or carrying out other activities that overwork the body, which causes the heart to be in a state of stress for a long time and is prone to heart problems such as heart disorders.(b) Standardizing the use of medications. The medications for heart disease, such as those for depressive, lipid-deductive, anti-heart disorders and so forth, must not be reduced, replaced or stopped on their own, even if they are perceived to have improved, must first consult a doctor to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the treatment and to maintain a stable heart.• Periodic review: regular visits to hospitals, according to doctor arrangements, usually every 1 to 3 months (on the basis of the medical condition and the doctor ‘ s recommendation), and review projects may include electrocardiograms, cardiac ultrasound, blood biochemical examinations, etc., so that doctors can keep abreast of changes in the condition, adjust the medication programme and better control the heart disease.Maintaining a good mind and avoiding emotional volatility: Try to maintain a calm, optimistic mind, avoiding a great ups and downs. Undesired emotions such as excessive stress, anxiety and anger can lead to a sense of nervous excitement, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the heart burden and increasing the risk of heart attack. Pressure and mood can be tempered by listening to music, reading and talking to friends.• Actively confront diseases: properly understand their own heart disease, learn about the disease, cooperate actively with doctors in their treatment, build confidence in overcoming the disease and respond to daily life and management of the condition in a good mental state.In general, heart patients are required to perform maintenance work in all aspects of their lives during the winter, to care for their heart ‘ s health, to reduce the risk of heart attack and to improve their quality of life.