Winter is a season when cardiovascular diseases are more common. Many elderly people, like Mr. Wang, believe that "flushing the blood vessels" can prevent diseases. However, this viewpoint is not scientifically valid. Generally speaking, intravenous infusion can indeed regulate blood viscosity, dilate blood vessels, and improve cerebral blood supply. However, medication can only take effect when cerebral vascular spasms occur, that is, during the onset of the disease. If there is no onset, medication is ineffective. Moreover, for elderly people with a tendency to bleed, using medication to dilate blood vessels can actually worsen the condition. The rust and dirt in the blood vessels are a metaphor for atherosclerosis. Currently, there is no intravenous medication that can simply wash away the dirt as some patients believe. Furthermore, atherosclerosis is not a condition that forms overnight, but rather a long-term accumulation. Therefore, it is not possible to clear it with a few infusions. Additionally, there are the following risks associated with excessive intravenous infusion in elderly individuals:
First, the drugs and fluids used in clinical practice, as well as the infusion tubes and needles, cannot achieve 100% purity or sterility due to limitations in production processes and techniques. This brings about a higher risk of infection in intravenous therapy itself. Second, elderly individuals have decreased cardiac function. Excessive infusion can cause myocardial ischemia and even heart failure. Third, elderly people have poor vascular elasticity, which makes them more prone to hard, brittle, and slippery blood vessels. This increases the difficulty of venipuncture. If the medication leaks into the subcutaneous tissue, it is not easily absorbed. In severe cases, it can cause local skin tissue swelling and necrosis. Fourth, due to diminished reaction capacity in elderly individuals, once an allergic reaction to infusion occurs, such as chills or anaphylactic shock, the symptoms are often atypical, making it easy to miss the early rescue opportunity.
Therefore, to prevent cardiovascular diseases in winter, it is better to focus on strengthening daily health care rather than "flushing the blood vessels".
Keep Warm
Blood vessels, especially coronary arteries, tend to contract and spasm in cold winter, leading to insufficient blood supply and possible embolism. It is important to pay special attention to keeping warm. Avoid walking against the wind during strong winds and temperature drops, and add clothing according to weather conditions in a timely manner.
Eat a Balanced Diet
The diet should be light, easy to digest, with small meals and being about 70-80% full. It is recommended to have a mix of coarse and fine grains and consume less greasy, fatty, and sugary foods. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, have small meals, and have a light dinner. Avoid drinking strong tea or coffee.
Exercise Regularly
Cardiovascular patients can still exercise, but it should be done in a moderate and appropriate manner. It is important to schedule exercise time rationally and control the amount of exercise. In winter, it is best to exercise after the sun has risen to avoid sudden exposure to cold and potential illness.
Maintain Emotional Well-being
Emotional excitement is detrimental to cardiovascular diseases. Patients with coronary heart disease and high blood lipids, in particular, should stay calm and avoid extreme emotional fluctuations. It is important to avoid fatigue, stress, and emotional excitement, and participate in social activities and long-distance travel in moderation. Sexual activity should also be moderated.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake
Smoking is a major factor in causing cardiovascular diseases and should be quit completely. Drinking a small amount of low-alcohol beverages such as beer, yellow wine, or red wine can promote blood circulation and harmonize qi and blood, but high-alcohol spirits should be avoided.
Regular Check-ups
Elderly individuals should undergo a physical examination before winter and monitor their blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Especially in the presence of various stimulating factors (such as changes in emotions or exercise levels), the body is often in a stressed state and should be thoroughly examined. Elderly people often have varying degrees of arterial sclerosis, disorders in lipid and sugar metabolism, increased blood viscosity, and reduced red blood cell deformability, all of which can lead to thrombosis. Therefore, regular monitoring and timely adjustments should be made according to the situation.
