Heart Attacks More Common During Winters? Omega 3 Consumption Can Stave Off the Risks

Can the temperature of a place or seasonal variations expose you to the risk of heart attack? As per a recent study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, weather conditions may influence a cardiovascular event in some people. For the study experts analysed the link between weather conditions and the occurrence of a heart-related event in close to 2,80,000 patients. It was found that air temperature, air pressure, precipitation and sunshine duration may play a significant role in triggering an increased incident of heart attack during colder weather.

"In addition, seasonal-dependent behaviours such as reduced physical activity and dietary changes could also play a role in the increased occurrence of heart attack during colder weather," lead author Moman A. Mohammad, from the Lund University, Sweden was quoted by IANS. The findings revealed that the average number of heart attacks per day was significantly higher during colder temperatures as compared to warmer.

Colder weather calls for the inclusion of food items that are hot in nature - from soups and broths to spices and ingredients that can keep the body warm from within. Studies also emphasize the significance of omega 3 consumption in maintaining a healthy heart. An earlier report published in JAMA Internal Medicine noted, "Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, trout, walnuts and flaxseed oil may significantly cut the incidence of developing a heart disease".

"At a time when some but not other trials of fish oil supplementation have shown benefits, there is uncertainty about cardiovascular effects of omega-3s," said Dariush Mozaffarian from Tufts University in the US. "Our results lend support to the importance of fish and omega-3 consumption as part of a healthy diet," he was quoted by PTI.

Inputs from IANS and PTI