Connect
Seasonal weather changes and bradyarrhythmia
As I dig more into the "why" I have developed a bradyarrhythmia rather abruptly I keep uncover things that I would not have suspected as contributors to it. One of these is a seasonal pattern.
"The incidence of bradyarrhythmias was significantly higher in summer than in the other seasons (P 90 °F for >3 h per day for at least 10 days (P
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
Funny. I was actually going to start reading up on this. I've noticed this summer difficulty breathing at times. Suddenly I am getting excessive nosebleeds which the doctors don't think is cardiac related but coming as a side effect of medications I'm taking for cardiomyopathy. During the colder season a side effect of bisoprolol that some patients have complained of (difficulty walking) seemed to occur
I started this discussion with too narrow a focus, seasonal correlation of some bradycardia events. But there is a lot of data to indicate that cardiac events and mortality shift with the seasons. Consequently its probably wise to take the right proactive measures at the times of greatest vulnerability.
I don't want to be guilty of swamping folks with information so here are a couple of highlights:
Re winter and coronary events
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662093/
--
Abstract
This paper review seasonal patterns across twelve cardiovascular diseases: Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection and rupture, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, heart failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, venricular arrythmia and atrial fibrillation, and discuss a possible cause of the occurrence of these diseases. There is a clear seasonal trend of cardiovascular diseases, with the highest incidence occurring during the colder winter months, which have been described in many countries. This phenomenon likely contributes to the numbers of deaths occurring in winter. The implications of this finding are important for testing the relative importance of the proposed mechanisms. Understanding the influence of season and other factors is essential when seeking to implement effective public health measures.
--
This one is more practical. Winter, body heat, and heart attacks.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Cold-Weather-and-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_315615_Article.jsp#.V9cYJj_y_ow
--
RE: heart failure
http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/chronobiology-of-death-in-heart/articulo/90302498/
--
Abstract
Introduction and objectives
In the general population, heart events occur more often during early morning, on Mondays, and during winter. However, the chronobiology of death in heart failure has not been analyzed. The aim of this study was to determine the circadian, day of the week, and seasonal variability of all-cause mortality in chronic heart failure.
Conclusions
All cause mortality does not follow a circadian pattern, but a seasonal rhythm in patients with heart failure. This finding is in contrast to the circadian rhythmicity of cardiovascular events reported in the general population.
--
I know that I have more trouble with being short of breath and generally having more heart problems when the weather is warm. I'm really careful about my activity during the real warm spells and my window ACs are on pretty much 24/7 so I can at least be comfortable.
Ditto what @PatMattos says. I have way more problems in the heat and try to stay in the AC when possible. Heat and humidity are not my friends.
If you notice the emergence or worsening of a symptom like fatigue, labored breathing or a drop in exercise tolerance go in and get an EKG. Stay hydrated and avoid peak heat. I live in Arizona and hikers dying is routine, even fit ones.
Listen to the symptoms and by all means take them seriously.
Do you have any known issues with your heart or are you concerned that you may be developing one?
I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so I do know why it happens and I just have to take it easy.
Hopefully you are being fully treated. Has your doctor suggested an exercise program? Might be a little hard to manage in warmer weather so maybe you could do something indoors. Of course ask your doctor first.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23928567
...
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study suggests that patients with HCM who remain symptomatic despite medical therapy may achieve considerable functional improvement through a supervised Exercise Training program.