How cold weather affects your heart

On this page

• How cold weather affects your heart
• Cold weather with a heart condition
• How to protect your heart this winter
• More information and support

How cold weather affects your heart

Cold, windy and wet weather can take heat away from your body.

When you’re cold, blood vessels narrow in your skin, fingers and toes, so less heat is lost. This narrowing (called vasoconstriction) causes:

• your blood pressure to go up
• your heart rate to go up
• your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body.

This is a normal response to the cold. But the extra strain can be harder for people with a heart condition, especially during exercise.

Cold weather can also cause your blood to get thicker and stickier, which in rare cases can lead to blood clots. This can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

• Learn more about cold weather and your heart

Cold weather with a heart condition

You may worry about going outside during cold weather when you have a heart condition.

If you have angina, you may find that your symptoms can be worse, or happen more often, during cold weather.

You can go outside when it’s cold, but it's important to wrap up warm and try to keep dry. Wear plenty of layers, as well as a hat, gloves and scarf. Being prepared by taking a waterproof coat and umbrella will also help during cold, wet weather.

If it’s particularly cold, you may want to spend less time outdoors.  

If you have heart or respiratory problems, cold air can make it harder to breathe. So it’s best to avoid exercising outdoors on days when it is particularly cold. There are lots of exercises you can do indoors to help to boost your mood and keep your heart healthy.

• Try our 7 easy exercises to do at home
• Find exercises you can do at home during cold weather

How to protect your heart this winter

Follow these simple tips for staying warm and protecting your heart this winter:

1. Try to keep the room where you spend most of your time heated to at least 18°C. Discover 6 budget-friendly ways to keep the heat in.
2. Layer up with socks, jumpers and blankets. Wear lots of thin layers, rather than one thick layer. This will trap the heat in and keep you warmer. A hot water bottle or an electric blanket can help you to keep warm at night.
3. During very cold weather, or when you go outside, layer up and wear a hat, scarf and gloves to help keep you warm.
4. Remember to keep moving while you're indoors, to keep you warm and boost your immune system.
5. Have warming meals and healthy hot drinks to give your body the energy it needs to keep you warm. A bowl of homemade vegetable soup can be healthy and filling. You could also try our healthy dinners for cold winter nights.
6. If you have angina, wear a scarf wrapped loosely around your mouth and nose or wear a face mask, so you breathe in warmer air. This may help to limit your symptoms if they get worse in the winter.
7. Learn how to make your home more energy efficient to save money and keep the heat inside your home.
8. Find out if you’re entitled to any financial help, like the Cold Weather Payment, by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.
9. If you’re spending more time indoors, you may want to have a good stock of essentials, like food and toiletries, and any prescription medicines you take.
10. Spending more time indoors can make you feel low. You could call your friends and family regularly and invite them to indoor places to socialise. Read our 5 tips to help you thrive during winter.
11. If feel like you’re coming down with a cough or a cold, try to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Get advice from your GP or pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies as some may not be suitable if you’re taking other medicines.
12. You can also get a flu jab and Covid-19 vaccine to help protect you against cold weather viruses. Some people may also be able to get a pneumococcal vaccine. Talk to your GP or a pharmacist to find out if you can get them for free.

More information and support

• Read our winter wellness tips on how to keep healthy and warm.
• Take our quiz: How prepared are you for winter?
• Get healthy eating tips for when it’s cold out.
• Call our Heart Helpline for support and information.