Beware of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter and remember these magic weapons to prevent them

As winter approaches, the weather changes significantly, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases also enter a high incidence period. Wu Zemin, a nationally renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor at Beijing Dongcheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that after winter, some hypertensive patients have poor blood pressure control, which can easily lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure. Some patients with previous cerebrovascular lesions are very likely to suffer from stroke. In addition, some old patients who have had cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases also experience a certain degree of aggravation of their symptoms during this period. So, how should we prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter?

Large temperature differences in winter can easily induce cardiovascular diseases

Wu Zemin said that in winter, the yang energy of the whole nature is in a state of convergence. The yang energy in nature has dropped sharply, but people's demand for yang energy has not decreased, so people in this season are prone to qi deficiency. Chinese medicine believes that "qi is the commander of blood". The circulation of blood is mainly driven by qi. Qi deficiency drives blood to circulate slowly, and blood deficiency will occur. This will increase the burden on the human heart and cause brain ischemia. The chest pain, breath holding, dizziness, numbness, etc. that people feel at this time are a series of "emergency reactions" of the human body to weather changes, which is very normal. However, it is necessary to remind those who have poor tolerance to changes in ambient temperature or patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases that this reaction is likely to cause symptoms of hypoxia and ischemia in important organs such as the heart and brain, and even induce the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, cor pulmonale, and arrhythmia. There is also stroke, which is also a high incidence in this season. If you don't pay attention, it may even lead to death.

In winter, the high incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly is related to their physiological characteristics. Symptoms of arteriosclerosis are common in the elderly. If they are attacked by cold air, their blood vessels will contract, blood flow resistance will increase, and the burden on the heart will increase, which can easily lead to coronary artery spasm and induce myocardial infarction. The high incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter is also closely related to people's psychological state. Due to changes in climate and temperature, many people are prone to depression in winter. Bad mood, excessive psychological pressure, living environment, living and eating habits, and excessive fatigue can all lead to the onset of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, we must take a cautious attitude towards cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter and make preventive preparations in advance.

Keep these magic weapons in mind to prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Life rules: The temperature is low in the morning, so it is not suitable for morning exercise. Middle-aged and elderly people are better off exercising at 9-10 o'clock after breakfast. More sun exposure can promote calcium synthesis and absorption.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, you can drink a small amount of rice wine.

Moderate exercise: Exercise according to your physical and mental condition. Do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. Do not choose strenuous sports such as climbing, running, and playing ball. You can choose Tai Chi, swimming, walking 8,000 to 10,000 steps, etc., and make sure you feel relaxed after the exercise.

Maintain an optimistic attitude: avoid emotional ups and downs. Keep your energy and spirit in good shape, and avoid emotional excitement, overwork, irregular life, etc. Studies have shown that the heart and blood vessels are most sensitive to emotional reactions.

Reasonable diet: It is recommended that patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases develop a low-salt, low-fat, and low-sugar diet. Increase fiber in the diet and eat more corn, wheat bran, beans, kelp, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic and other foods. Reduce the intake of fat and cholesterol and avoid eating high-cholesterol foods. Eat more soy products. Soybeans are rich in a variety of phospholipids that are essential to the human body. Eating soy products such as tofu, bean sprouts, dried tofu, and soybean oil regularly can prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Regular check-ups: Have regular physical examinations to monitor blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels. The elderly should have a physical examination once a year and monitor their blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels.

Scientific use of medicines: Chinese and Western medicines should be used rationally to prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases under the guidance of a doctor.

Prevent diseases by doing daily exercise

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are not impossible to prevent. Some seemingly insignificant "little actions" can reduce or avoid the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Open and close your mouth: In your spare time, you can often do the "open and close your mouth" exercise, open your mouth as wide as possible, take a deep breath, and exhale when you close your mouth, and do this 30 times in a row. Opening and closing your mouth can stimulate the brain through the facial nerve reflex, which can improve the blood circulation in the brain, enhance the elasticity of the cerebral blood vessels, and help prevent the occurrence of stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

Move your feet frequently: The ankles are home to important tissues such as lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, and nerves. They are not only an important gateway for blood flow in the feet, but also a transportation hub connecting the feet and the body. Soft and flexible ankles help venous blood return to the heart. On the contrary, if the ankles are old and stiff, it is easy to cause poor blood return, thereby increasing the burden on the heart.

Four tips for preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter

1. Avoid catching a cold. Colds are common in winter and can be easily triggered if you are not careful. People with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should avoid catching a cold and avoid crowded places to reduce the probability of infection.

2. Blood pressure measurement must be accurate. When measuring blood pressure, you cannot use the data from one or two times as the standard, and you cannot arbitrarily reduce or increase the dose of antihypertensive drugs. The time of measuring blood pressure is closely related to the time of taking medicine. One or two results cannot truly reflect the blood pressure status. Hypertensive patients must have regular follow-up visits and adjust antihypertensive drugs under the guidance of doctors.

3. Keep warm. Cold stimulation is an important cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, so keeping warm is particularly important for patients with such diseases. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular patients should not go for morning exercises when it is cold, because the stimulation of cold air can induce angina attacks. It is best to go out for exercise after 10 am. Do not choose intense sports such as running, skipping rope, playing ball, etc. during exercise. In addition, it is also important to take medicine on time, pay attention to diet, and maintain an optimistic mood.

4. Carry emergency medicines with you. Elderly people with chronic diseases should carry emergency medicines with them when they go out. If they experience symptoms such as breathing difficulties and limb numbness, they should go to the hospital in time to avoid missing the best treatment time.