[Click! Health] Chilly Morning Weather... Essential Management of 'Seasonal Hypertension' with Dangerous Complications

When Temperature Drops 1°C, Systolic Blood Pressure Rises 1 mmHg
Increased Risk of Complications... Caution Needed for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Avoid Early Morning Exercise and Salty Foods for Better Health

Hypertension stock photo. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] With cool weather continuing in the mornings and evenings, the heatwave has passed, and it is the season when the full change of seasons is felt. During the day, the sun is strong and temperatures rise close to 30 degrees Celsius, but the minimum temperature drops to 17-18 degrees, resulting in a daily temperature difference of more than 10 degrees on some days.

The change of seasons with large temperature differences is also an unwelcome time for hypertension patients who need to manage their blood pressure. One of the things most sensitive to temperature changes is blood pressure. Hypertension is a common condition affecting one in four Koreans, but if not properly managed, it can lead to fatal outcomes. In particular, when the temperature drops by 1 degree, systolic blood pressure rises by about 1 mmHg, so hypertension patients need to pay special attention to their health during the change of seasons.

Why Hypertension is Dangerous: 'Complications'

The reason why hypertension during the change of seasons is frightening is not the hypertension itself but the increased risk of complications. Hypertension complications that can occur during the change of seasons include cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage and myocardial infarction.

Representative cardiovascular diseases include angina and myocardial infarction, which occur when the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart narrow. If angina is not treated promptly, it can cause serious sequelae such as blockage of blood vessels and necrosis of heart muscle.

Cerebral hemorrhage must also be approached with caution. When the temperature drops, blood vessels constrict, causing blood pressure to rise, and if the elevated blood pressure cannot be withstood, blood vessels may rupture, leading to cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, hypertension patients during the change of seasons should quickly visit a hospital and receive appropriate tests and treatment if symptoms suggestive of angina or cerebral hemorrhage, such as chest pain, slurred speech, or paralysis, appear, and cultivate preventive habits.

Managing Blood Pressure During the Change of Seasons Starts with Daily Life

To prevent blood pressure elevation caused by daily temperature differences during the change of seasons, attention must be paid to lifestyle management. Indoor and outdoor temperature differences should be minimized, and during the day when air conditioning is actively used at work, wearing several thin layers of clothing is a good method.

If you have hypertension, it is also advisable to avoid exercising early in the morning. Dawn is the time when blood pressure is highest and the temperature difference is greatest, so blood pressure can rise suddenly and should be avoided. If you plan regular exercise, it is recommended to do appropriate exercise that suits you during the day or evening.

Dietary habits are also important. Excessive salt intake raises blood pressure. Consumption of foods high in salt such as salt, soy sauce, red pepper paste, fermented sauces, kimchi, salted seafood, and seasonings should be minimized. Alcohol should also be avoided. Although alcohol dilates blood vessels, blood vessels constrict due to the lowered temperature, which can cause blood pressure to rise.

Choi Won-ho, a cardiology specialist at H Plus Yangji Hospital, advised, “Sudden temperature changes activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood vessel constriction and blood pressure elevation. Hypertension patients transitioning from summer to autumn during the change of seasons need to develop proper habits and consistently maintain them, including lifestyle management and regularly checking their blood pressure, to protect their health.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.