After a continental cold air mass arrived yesterday, which was expected to bring cold temperatures in northern Taiwan until Wednesday, the Health Promotion Administration suggested that people keep warm to prevent triggering acute cardiovascular disease.
The administration said that when there is a sharp drop in temperature to cold and damp conditions, vascular smooth muscle tends to contract, which can cause blood pressure to rise, triggering acute heart disease or strokes.
People with cardiovascular diseases, older people or obese people should especially keep warm and control their levels of three highs — high blood pressure, high blood lipids and high blood sugar.
Administration Director-General Chiou Shu-ti (邱淑媞) said older people, people with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, kidney disease or other chronic illnesses, as well as people who smoke or drink alcohol excessively, those who are obese, those who do not exercise or those with a family history of strokes or coronary artery heart disease are all high-risk groups that should especially take precautions in sudden cold weather.
The administration said people should keep their head, neck and limbs warm by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks and also wear several layers of clothing.
Healthcare advice includes drinking warm water and eating fruits and vegetables high in fiber during the day, the administration said, adding that people should avoid excessive eating, dramatic emotional changes, hot springs immediately after eating or drinking alcohol, or exercising outdoors in the early morning hours.
If people in high-risk groups experience sudden chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, arm weakness, face drooping, speech difficulty or other symptoms of a stoke, they should be taken to see a doctor as soon as possible, the administration said.
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