Though sometimes we ignore it as a chill or muscle strain, in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rasheed Ahmed, the head of the department of interventional cardiology at Manipal Hospital in Jaipur with 24 years of experience, said that this sensation of tightness or heaviness in the chest, in some cases, can be a warning sign of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Do you ever notice a tightness or heaviness in your chest during the winter?
He explained, “These plaques can gradually build up, and if they rupture, they can lead to the formation of a clot, which in turn will block the blood flow to the heart. In the winter, cold weather tends to constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure, and increase the likelihood of blood clotting, so an existing blockage is more likely to become a serious problem. As for treatment options, he explained, “The aim of treatment is to get blood flowing to the heart as quickly as possible. Medication may be used to dissolve or prevent clot formation. Coronary angioplasty with stent placement is the most common procedure used to open a blocked artery. In the case of multiple or significant blockages, CABG surgery will be recommended. Recognising the association between winter chest pain and Acute Coronary Syndrome can save lives. Lastly, he stated that the best way to prevent permanent cardiac damage and improve outcomes is to spot the symptoms early and get the patient to a doctor promptly.
