Buffalo’s Freezing Winters: How Extreme Cold Affects the Elderly

This week, I’m looking at how the cold in Buffalo affects older adults, especially when it comes to heart health. Cold weather makes the heart work harder to maintain body temperature, raising blood pressure and heart rate, which is particularly dangerous for those with pre-existing heart conditions. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that extreme cold increases the risk of heart attacks by up to 30%, and The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Public Health reports that cold contributes to 2,000 additional cardiovascular deaths each year, especially among the elderly. Some of these deaths could be related to weather-related physical activity. The American Heart Association indicates that shoveling snow and walking through snowfalls increases heart attack risk. Snow shoveling, especially in cold temperatures, can significantly strain the heart, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks. The American Heart Association reports that about 100 people in the U.S. die each year from heart-related issues caused by shoveling snow, a concern particularly relevant for Bu7alo residents who experience frequent heavy snowfall.

As extreme cold becomes more common, it’s crucial to protect the elderly from these risks. Cold temperatures, coupled with physical exertion, can lead to heart attack and other serious health events. The National Institutes of Health emphasizes the need for increased awareness and safety measures to prevent these dangerous situations. In the next post, I’ll share practical solutions to help keep older adults safe during the winter months.

References:

1. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/cold-weather-and-cardiovascular-disease

2. National Institutes of Health. "Hypothermia and older adults." https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hypothermia-older-adults-0

3. British Heart Foundation. "How cold weather a7ects your heart." https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/will-cold-weather-a7ect-my-heart-condition.

4. "Extreme Weather and Its Impact on Public Health." JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/20486380.

5. American Heart Association. (2021, January 28). Snow shoveling can be hazardous to your heart. American Heart Association News. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/snow-shoveling-can-be-hazardous-to-your-heart