Winter Warning: Hot Baths, Night Trips to Bathroom Trigger Heart Attacks, Strokes in Elderly

• Elderly face higher risk of heart attacks and brain strokes in winter (Nov-Mar) due to sudden temperature changes.
• Activities like stepping out after a hot bath or getting up at night from a warm bed can cause sudden body temperature drops.
• Cold weather constricts blood vessels, thickens blood, and increases blood pressure, hindering blood flow to the heart and brain.
• Dr. Debesh Chattopadhyay advises precautions: wait after hot baths, don't get up suddenly from bed, sit for 40 seconds, dangle feet for a minute, and wear warm clothes.
• Brain strokes are of two types: Ischemic (reduced blood supply, higher survival) and Hemorrhagic (ruptured blood vessel, lower survival).

Why It Matters: Elderly must take precautions against sudden temperature changes in winter to prevent heart attacks and strokes.