AN amber weather alert has been issued in the UK, meaning a rise in deaths is likely – particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) weather warning has been issued for a week due to freezing temperatures.
Snow, ice, and temperatures of -8C have been forecast in some parts of the UK. Last night the mercury sank as low as minus 8C in rural Scotland and northern England.
Cold weather can present many health risks – the cold air can trigger asthma attacks, which constrict the airways to the lungs, and it can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight respiratory infections like the flu.
Freezing temperatures can also lead to blood flow changes, high blood pressure, and extra strain on the heart, significantly affecting heart attack risk.
Dr Mohammed Najjar, Medical Director, Jorja Healthcare, explained: “When temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict, raising blood pressure, which strains the heart and might trigger an attack, particularly in those with existing heart issues.
“The body burns more energy to stay warm, adding stress on the heart—a notable pattern we observe in the chilly winter months.”
People with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are especially at risk, warned Dr Najjar.
But smokers and older adults should also be extra cautious.
And physical exertion, like shovelling snow, can strain the heart even more.
Dr Najjar added: “Picture someone shovelling snow, exerting themselves unknowingly—the heart strain could become dangerous.”
Because of this, it’s essential to recognise the warning signs of a heart attack.
Spotting symptoms of a heart attack is crucial because early recognition and immediate medical attention can significantly increase the chances of survival and minimise damage to the heart muscle.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Met Office weather report for the first week of the New Year ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366603021112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D101408%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]This prevents the heart muscle from getting enough oxygen, which can cause serious damage and even death.
The longer a blockage remains untreated, the more damage occurs -prompt action can save lives.
[boxout headline=”Current weather warnings in the UK “]Friday 3rd January
For Friday 3rd January the Met Office issued a yellow warning for ice which could lead to difficult travel conditions.
It said: “Temperatures will again fall widely below freezing during Friday evening. This will allow ice to readily form on untreated surfaces, particularly where roads and pavements remain wet from wintry showers.”
“Scattered showers will fall as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow.
“Most areas are unlikely to see any fresh accumulations of snow though a slight covering is possible in places, especially over parts of northern Scotland.”
Saturday 4th-Sunday 5th January
Over the weekend, amber warnings have been put in place, meaning there’s chance of heavy snow and freezing rain in places.
The Met Office warned:
- There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- A small chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- There is a chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel
Monday 6th January
A yellow warning has been issued for Monday 6th January.
Dr Najjar advised symptoms not to ignore:
- Chest discomfort spreading to the back, jaw, or arms
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Dizziness
Taking precautions during cold weather to protect your heart is also vital, stressed Dr Najjar.
He said: “Dress warmly, especially covering extremities.
“Opt for quality thermal gear.
“If exerting yourself outdoors, take it slow to let your heart adjust.
“For smokers, cold weather might encourage reconsidering smoking habits.
“Regular health check-ups are crucial—knowing health metrics empowers individuals.
“These measures make winter less formidable. Stay warm, stay vigilant, and enjoy winter’s beauty with health in mind.”
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), a significant portion of excess winter deaths in the UK are attributed to heart attacks caused by cold weather, with estimates suggesting that around two in five winter excess deaths are related to heart attacks triggered by cold snaps.
A BHF-funded study looked at risk factors for heart disease – the leading cause of heart attacks – in people over the age of 60, relative to the daily average temperature where they lived (in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands).
They found on average, the lower the temperature, the higher their cholesterol and blood pressure (which can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases) and the lower their vitamin D levels.
These changes aren’t always directly caused by the cold, but they can reflect how people’s behaviour changes when the weather is colder.
The same researchers also found the risk of dying of heart disease in a cold weather was higher in people who drank more than one alcoholic drink a week, or had ever smoked.
So this suggests that having healthy habits throughout the year isn’t just good for long-term heart health – it can help lower the risk cold weather can pose to your heart, too.