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Outdoor cold is a health hazard

by Medindia Content Team on Mar 13 2002 2:42 PM

Getting cold out of doors condenses the blood and increases the risk of heart attack. According to Professor Bill Ketinge of University of Texas, it has been found that too many excess deaths has occured in the winter - 40,000 - in Britain. He believes that cold temperatures alter the body's physiology, so that blood becomes thicker than normal. This raises the risk of clotting and heart attack.

Much attention has been given in recent years to indoor heating with older people qualifying for an allowance to help with fuel bills. But this does not help those who get chilled in the outdoors - waiting for a bus or a train. In just 30 minutes, say Professor Ketinge, you can get cold enough to create a problem with clotting a day or so later. It's the time lag that's made this an unsignificant place problem.

In colder countries, like Siberia, the excess death problem doesn't exist because people wrap up warmly. In Britain, and other European countries, with milder weather, people often wear clothing that's not really protective against the cold. The message is clear - if you plan to be out and about this winter, wear plenty of warm layers and cover your head to protect your circulation.


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