Why is blood pressure higher in winter than in summer?

This is a question that many hypertensive friends are asking. When the weather is warm, blood pressure is often well controlled, or hypotension will occur when the dosage of antihypertensive drugs prescribed in winter is taken in summer. Why? Can you not take medicine in summer? Let's discuss this issue with you today.

Why is blood pressure high in winter and lower in summer? In fact, this problem is not complicated, mainly the problem of thermal expansion and cold contraction. Many substances contract when heated, and blood vessels are no exception. When the weather is cold in winter, human blood vessels will contract, and under the same blood volume, the pressure on blood vessels will be greater. In the hot summer, blood vessels will relax to a certain extent. In the relaxed state, the pressure on blood vessels will decrease, which is reflected in the blood pressure value, that is, the measured blood pressure will decrease. The hot weather in summer makes people sweat more, which will reduce blood volume, which is another reason for the decrease of blood pressure in summer.

How do hypertensive patients cope with blood pressure problems caused by the change of hot and cold seasons? With the change of seasons, such problems often occur. Let's discuss it together by the way.

1. I take antihypertensive drugs in summer and my blood pressure is well controlled, but I can't control it in winter. What should I do if I often exceed the standard?

This is a very likely phenomenon. The principle is what we said above. As for the solution, if single drug is used in summer, another antihypertensive drug can be added in winter. Combined use of antihypertensive drugs usually plays a synergistic role in lowering blood pressure and better controlling blood pressure. For example, pril (or sartan)+betaloc, pril (or sartan)+amlodipine, pril (or sartan)+thiazide diuretics, etc. These are all good combinations of antihypertensive drugs, which can reduce the possible side effects of drugs.

2. Taking medicine in winter has a good blood pressure control, but taking these medicines in summer still makes me feel weak, dizzy, flustered and uncomfortable. What happened? What about this situation?

This is typical of excessive hypotension and hypotension. For the normal control of medication in winter, if you continue to take the same drug in summer, there will be hypotension. If hypotension occurs frequently, it means that the antihypertensive effect of medication is too strong. If you take a combination of drugs in winter, you can consider reducing one of them. If you take a single drug in winter, you can consider reducing the dose. It is best to consult a pharmacist or cardiologist about the specific medication plan.

3. I take medicine in winter and my blood pressure is well controlled, but it is basically normal not to take medicine in summer. Can I stop taking the medicine?

In fact, this situation is rare. Sometimes the so-called "normal blood pressure" only means that the blood pressure is normal within a few days, which does not mean that the blood pressure has really returned to normal. If you are stimulated by certain pressure, such as entering an air-conditioned room from a hot outdoor, if you are suddenly excited by stimulation, under these circumstances, the blood pressure of a friend who is already hypertensive may still rise temporarily. Therefore, it is generally recommended that patients with hypertension should not stop taking drugs in summer, and generally choose low-dose antihypertensive drugs to maintain and control blood pressure.

Finally, whether it is winter or summer, it is the high incidence season of cardiovascular diseases, so don't be careless. Pay attention to keep warm in winter, strictly monitor blood pressure and prevent the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Be careful not to be greedy in summer. Patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, including patients with hypertension, should never take a cold bath when sweating, never adjust the temperature of the air conditioner too low, and never be greedy for cold drinks. These are all risk factors leading to cardiovascular diseases and should be avoided.