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Health/Weather Line: Chilly Temperatures & Heart Health

As the winter season moves on, the thermometer is set to drop again and doctors warn that the sudden blast of cold air could affect your heart.

According to WGEM-TV, Cardiologist Richard Valuck (of Hannibal Regional, Hannibal, MO), says the cold air can constrict arteries, meaning the heart may not get enough blood to work correctly. He said that can happen even if you don’t suffer from heart disease.

“That clamping down, you can kind of feel it burning maybe up into the neck or maybe a little burning in the chest or tightness,” said Valuck.

He said if you do have heart disease you should stay inside when temperatures start to drop into the single digits or colder, but if you must go out you should pace yourself.