Health authorities have issued urgent warnings as Britain braces for a severe cold snap that could see temperatures plummet to as low as -10C this week. The Met Office has forecasted the big chill gripping the nation, prompting immediate action from health officials.
Nationwide Health Alerts Activated
The UK Health Security Agency declared an amber cold health alert yesterday covering large parts of northern England, including the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber. This significant warning will remain active until 8am on Saturday, while a yellow alert covers the rest of England.
Medical experts express particular concern for the NHS, anticipating increased demand for services especially among those aged 65 and older. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, explained that extreme cold significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
Multiple Health Threats Emerge
Research reveals that temperatures below 0C can increase a person's risk of suffering the most serious type of heart attack by nearly 10 percent. A 2018 study found ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction was more common on sub-zero temperature days.
Professor David Erlinge from Lund University, lead author of the study, indicated that icy weather causes blood vessels to narrow, restricting the heart's oxygen supply. He added that respiratory tract infections and influenza, currently circulating in the UK, compound these risks.
Respiratory System Under Pressure
For individuals with lung conditions like asthma, the risk of requiring A&E treatment doubles during winter months. The charity Asthma + Lung UK warns that cold air, seasonal illnesses, damp and mould create perfect conditions for breathing difficulties.
Cold, dry air causes airways to narrow while increasing mucus production, making breathing considerably more challenging. Symptoms including wheezing, coughing and breathlessness can worsen significantly in these conditions.
Even people without pre-existing lung conditions face increased respiratory stress. Dr Raj Dasgupta, a pulmonologist at the University of Southern California, explains that the body's effort to stay warm places additional strain on both heart and lungs.
Additional Health Concerns
Joint pain becomes more pronounced during colder months, with arthritis sufferers reporting increased discomfort. A 2020 study documented 117 rheumatoid arthritis patients experiencing more tender joints and harsher pain during winter compared to spring.
Skin health also suffers as people move between cold outdoor temperatures and heated indoor environments. Dr Christine Ko, a dermatology professor at Yale University, notes that these temperature fluctuations can trigger rashes and worsen eczema symptoms.
Hair loss may increase due to dry scalp conditions exacerbated by cold weather and indoor heating. Reduced vitamin D levels from limited sunlight exposure between October and March further compounds this issue.
Mental Health Impact
Seasonal depression becomes more prevalent as shorter days reduce sunlight exposure. The NHS identifies three key mechanisms behind this condition: increased melatonin production causing sleepiness, reduced serotonin affecting mood, and disrupted circadian rhythms.
With Britain facing what experts warn could be the 'worst flu season on record', combined with Covid, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus circulating, the cold weather presents multiple challenges to the nation's health and the NHS's capacity to respond.
