The Heart's Silent Battle: Why Extreme Temperatures Can Trigger Heart Attacks & Strokes

Red poster on healthy-heart tips and preventative measures to protect your heart. A red heart-shaped symbol, a stalk of green broccoli, a red apple, and a stethoscope. 🩺 Advice from My Cardiologist You Need to Hear: When you think of heart health, diet and exercise often top the list. But here’s something my cardiologist told me that most people don’t think about: Avoid extreme temperatures — especially anything above 80°F or below 40°F. Why? Because your heart and blood vessels go into overdrive in both hot and cold weather. If you’re already managing cardiovascular issues or are at risk, that extra strain can turn dangerous. Let’s break down what actually happens to your body — and your heart — in these temperature extremes, and how you can protect yourself year-round. 🥶 What Happens to Your Heart in Cold Weather (Below 40°F) When you step into chilly air, your body tries to preserve core warmth by narrowing your blood vessels — a process called vasoconstricti...