How cold turns up the heat on health (UK)

Global warming dominates the headlines, but in the UK the cold of winter is much more hazardous to health - especially for the elderly and the sick. For every degree the temperature drops below 18C, deaths in the UK go up by nearly 1.5%. This year, any new year's resolutions that involve strenuous outdoor activity - at least for those with existing health problems - could be best put on ice. Heart attacks and strokes rise as temperatures fall. This is because when confronted with the cold, the blood vessels in the skin contract to conserve heat by preventing blood from flowing to the surface. The composition of the blood also changes. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrower vessels, while the change in concentration means it is more liable to clot, with all the ensuing health problems. The British Heart Foundation says: "There is growing evidence to suggest that heart attacks are linked with extreme weather conditions, especially cold weather. "If you have a heart problem and are outside in cold weather, you should avoid sudden exertion - for example, shovelling snow or pushing a car. "In very cold weather it may be best to stay indoors." - BBC