Winter Coronary Heart Disease (Active): Dont Blindly Overindulge for Heart Health
Winter Coronary Heart Disease (Active): Dont Blindly Overindulge for Heart Health
There are several factors contributing to the high incidence of coronary heart disease during the winter. Firstly, the cardiovascular system is sensitive to temperature changes. In cold weather, blood vessels throughout the body tend to constrict, increasing vascular resistance, slowing down blood flow, and raising blood pressure, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Secondly, cold stimuli can directly trigger coronary artery spasms, leading to myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, and conditions like angina or acute myocardial infarction. Thirdly, during the winter season, elderly individuals with weaker constitutions are more prone to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, which can also trigger coronary heart disease.
Moreover, many people tend to indulge in heavy diets during winter, which should be adjusted according to individual constitutions. Excessive consumption of rich, fatty foods can lead to increased blood viscosity, combined with reduced physical activity, making individuals more susceptible to acute coronary events. "During the winter, many elderly people enjoy eating mutton, which is a good choice for those with yang deficiency. However, for individuals with yin deficiency, excessive mutton consumption is not advisable."
Be Mindful of Symptoms Beyond the Heart
While many people are aware that angina's primary symptom is a strong, pressing chest pain, it's crucial to pay attention to symptoms beyond the heart. "In addition to the compressive pain behind the sternum or in the precordial area, this type of pain can sometimes radiate to the back, shoulders, or even both upper limbs. Occasionally, this pain can manifest in the throat and oral cavity, especially after physical activity, leading to noticeable constriction sensations in the throat and teeth, without affecting the chest and precordial area," says Jin Lili. Additionally, symptoms of myocardial infarction may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and sweating.
Jin Lili emphasizes that stable angina attacks often subside after a period of rest and typically occur after exertion. If angina occurs during rest, such as at night while sleeping, heightened vigilance is required. "The frequency, timing, and triggering factors of angina attacks are the three factors determining their severity. When angina lasts for more than 10 minutes, it may be a precursor to a heart attack, and immediate medical attention is recommended."
Preventing Constipation for Heart Health
With coronary heart disease being more "active" during the winter, middle-aged and elderly individuals must prioritize daily health maintenance. Jin Lili suggests that managing underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids within ideal ranges, is the most crucial aspect of coronary heart disease prevention. Additionally, attention should be paid to lifestyle details, such as keeping warm, adding clothing layers, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a cheerful mood.
Furthermore, individuals with coronary heart disease should exercise caution when considering dietary supplementation during the winter. Jin Lili also emphasizes the importance of adjusting supplementation according to one's constitution. For those with coronary heart disease accompanied by deficiency of heart yang, focus should be on warming and supplementing heart yang. This can be achieved by incorporating foods like astragalus, dried ginger, and cinnamon leaves into the diet. Those with phlegm-damp constitution should focus on invigorating the spleen and resolving phlegm, with ingredients like Codonopsis pilosula, Amomum villosum, Chinese yam, and Poria cocos suitable for soup consumption. Individuals with yin deficiency should consume nourishing foods such as lily bulb and bamboo pith. For those with blood stasis, incorporating blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese herbs like salvia and notoginseng into the diet can be beneficial.
It is important to note that older individuals should maintain regular bowel movements, as constipation can increase abdominal pressure, oxygen consumption in the myocardium, and heart rate, making them more prone to coronary heart disease attacks. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding overly monotonous food choices, and consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, and some coarse grains are recommended. Here are some recommended ingredients: mushrooms and black fungus contain effective components for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides; onions and garlic can not only lower cholesterol but also possess anticoagulant properties, benefiting the prevention of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease.
There are several factors contributing to the high incidence of coronary heart disease during the winter. Firstly, the cardiovascular system is sensitive to temperature changes. In cold weather, blood vessels throughout the body tend to constrict, increasing vascular resistance, slowing down blood flow, and raising blood pressure, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Secondly, cold stimuli can directly trigger coronary artery spasms, leading to myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, and conditions like angina or acute myocardial infarction. Thirdly, during the winter season, elderly individuals with weaker constitutions are more prone to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, which can also trigger coronary heart disease.
Moreover, many people tend to indulge in heavy diets during winter, which should be adjusted according to individual constitutions. Excessive consumption of rich, fatty foods can lead to increased blood viscosity, combined with reduced physical activity, making individuals more susceptible to acute coronary events. "During the winter, many elderly people enjoy eating mutton, which is a good choice for those with yang deficiency. However, for individuals with yin deficiency, excessive mutton consumption is not advisable."
Be Mindful of Symptoms Beyond the Heart
While many people are aware that angina's primary symptom is a strong, pressing chest pain, it's crucial to pay attention to symptoms beyond the heart. "In addition to the compressive pain behind the sternum or in the precordial area, this type of pain can sometimes radiate to the back, shoulders, or even both upper limbs. Occasionally, this pain can manifest in the throat and oral cavity, especially after physical activity, leading to noticeable constriction sensations in the throat and teeth, without affecting the chest and precordial area," says Jin Lili. Additionally, symptoms of myocardial infarction may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and sweating.
Jin Lili emphasizes that stable angina attacks often subside after a period of rest and typically occur after exertion. If angina occurs during rest, such as at night while sleeping, heightened vigilance is required. "The frequency, timing, and triggering factors of angina attacks are the three factors determining their severity. When angina lasts for more than 10 minutes, it may be a precursor to a heart attack, and immediate medical attention is recommended."
Preventing Constipation for Heart Health
With coronary heart disease being more "active" during the winter, middle-aged and elderly individuals must prioritize daily health maintenance. Jin Lili suggests that managing underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids within ideal ranges, is the most crucial aspect of coronary heart disease prevention. Additionally, attention should be paid to lifestyle details, such as keeping warm, adding clothing layers, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a cheerful mood.
Furthermore, individuals with coronary heart disease should exercise caution when considering dietary supplementation during the winter. Jin Lili also emphasizes the importance of adjusting supplementation according to one's constitution. For those with coronary heart disease accompanied by deficiency of heart yang, focus should be on warming and supplementing heart yang. This can be achieved by incorporating foods like astragalus, dried ginger, and cinnamon leaves into the diet. Those with phlegm-damp constitution should focus on invigorating the spleen and resolving phlegm, with ingredients like Codonopsis pilosula, Amomum villosum, Chinese yam, and Poria cocos suitable for soup consumption. Individuals with yin deficiency should consume nourishing foods such as lily bulb and bamboo pith. For those with blood stasis, incorporating blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese herbs like salvia and notoginseng into the diet can be beneficial.
It is important to note that older individuals should maintain regular bowel movements, as constipation can increase abdominal pressure, oxygen consumption in the myocardium, and heart rate, making them more prone to coronary heart disease attacks. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding overly monotonous food choices, and consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, and some coarse grains are recommended. Here are some recommended ingredients: mushrooms and black fungus contain effective components for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides; onions and garlic can not only lower cholesterol but also possess anticoagulant properties, benefiting the prevention of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease.
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