Is it safe to take cold shower during winters? Know what experts say

As the winter season comes, we see a sudden surge in heart-related issues in several people. Recently, a health expert said that a cold shower in winters causes blood vessels to contract, raising blood pressure which increases risk of heart attack or stroke.

Dr. Sudhir shared his experience of treating a patient who had suffered stroke due to a cold shower. He was a 68-year-old man and was brought with a history of right-sided weakness and was unable to speak for 26 hours.

Dr Sudhir Kumar said that sudden immersion in cold water can cause myocardial infarction. The rate of occurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) varies by season and is greatest during winter and least in summer. And, AF is a common risk factor for stroke, especially in older people and people with high blood pressure.

Moreover, he said that alternating between a hot sauna bath and a cold water bath can also lead to a heart attack. However, these are rare events and further studies are required for confirmation.

Also Read: Take better care of your heart during winters as it increases risk of heart attacks