Presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton were told that people who constantly need the heating higher could have underlying health conditions. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Ranj Singh outlined how some individuals feel compelled to have the temperature set extremely high, which can spark disputes or tensions at home or in the workplace.
Nevertheless, he explained, while some people may simply prefer warmer environments, there are several serious conditions this behaviour could point towards. He informed the presenters that the widely recommended indoor temperature people should target is 18C. But he said those who are particularly sensitive to the cold and require higher temperatures may, in reality, be experiencing serious health issues.
Recommended indoor temperatures
Dr Ranj explained: "As a general rule, we do say aim for a minimum temperature of around 18C for the rooms you are using regularly. So, that's things like your bedrooms, your living room, etc. You may actually need to go a bit higher for certain groups."
He added: "So, if you're very elderly, if you've got poor mobility, babies and young children, if you've got certain long-term health conditions. Generally speaking, as a rough guide, aiming for about 18 to 21 degrees for those rooms is usually adequate for most people. But I understand, there are financial implications. You may be tempted to try and keep the heating off for as long as possible to save money, which a lot of people are having to do, but just bear in mind that there can be health risks associated with that."
Risks of prolonged cold exposure
Dr Ranj explained that the dangers arose when individuals were subjected to prolonged exposure rather than occasional spells of cold. He said: "If you're having to sustain cold temperatures for a very long time, it can affect your body in lots of different ways. I'll give you some examples. Let's look at your heart and your blood."
He described how cold causes blood vessels to constrict, making the heart work harder, and thicker blood increases the risk of clotting, which is why heart attacks and strokes increase during colder months. He also noted that cold weather lowers immune defences and dries out the nose and upper airways, making them less effective. Spending more time indoors also increases the likelihood of infection, as viruses circulate more and people are in close contact.
Underlying conditions that cause cold sensitivity
Dr Ranj highlighted that persistent feelings of coldness could indicate a serious underlying health condition. He stated: "If you're persistently feeling cold or it's unexplained, then there may be an underlying medical reason for it."
He listed diabetes, which can damage nerves and blood vessels, affecting circulation to the hands and feet; hypoglycaemic attacks, which can make people feel extremely cold and clammy; anaemia, where reduced red blood cells or iron limit oxygen transport, sending blood centrally and making extremities colder; thyroid issues, where insufficient hormone affects metabolism and temperature regulation; circulation issues such as peripheral vascular disease or smoking; and Raynaud's phenomenon, where blood vessel spasms in the fingers and toes make them cold, change colour, or go pale.
Dr Ranj said: "All of these things are things to think about if you are finding the cold particularly problematic."
