Health conditions that can get worse when it’s cold out — and what you can do about it

This winter has been brrrutal.

As if the freezing temperatures, slippery sidewalks, high heating bills, dry, flaky skin, chapped lips and wet boots aren’t annoying enough, some people have health conditions that worsen in the cold.

The wintry weather is harmful in a few ways — the cold allows viruses to survive and spread and it narrows blood vessels to minimize heat loss, causing joints and tissues to feel tighter and stiffer.

Plus, dry air dehydrates protective mucous membranes in the nose, throat and airways, making it more difficult to fight infections.

And reduced sunlight exposure can lower levels of vitamin D, a crucial nutrient that supports immune health, bone development and cell growth.

These factors can pose a double — or even triple — risk for people with these cold-sensitive health conditions.

Cardiovascular disease

Constricting blood vessels significantly increases blood pressure and heart rate, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood, especially in people with heart disease.

“It can also make blood slightly thicker and more prone to clotting,” Dr. Sergiu Darabant — a cardiologist with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida — told The Post.

Excessive blood clotting raises the risk of dangerous blockages that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Darabant suggests dressing in warm layers, limiting time outdoors and engaging in physical activity to keep circulation moving.

“It’s also important to avoid rapid transitions from extreme heat, such as overheated indoor spaces or hot showers, directly into cold outdoor air, as abrupt temperature changes can strain the cardiovascular system,” Darabant added.

He also recommends taking medications as prescribed for heart and lung conditions, paying attention to symptoms such as chest discomfort or breathing troubles and steering clear of sudden strenuous activity in the cold.

Respiratory issues

Cold, dry air can cause airway muscles to tighten, increase thick mucus production and dry out airway membranes, triggering coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

These effects can pose severe risks for people with asthma or COPD, an inflammatory lung disease.

“Covering the nose and mouth in cold air, staying hydrated and doing gentle stretching and warmups help reduce strain on the heart, lungs and joints,” Darabant said.

Skin problems

The mix of low outdoor humidity and dry, heated indoor air can strip skin of its natural oils and accelerate moisture loss.

A weakened skin barrier can cause severe dryness, itching and inflammation in people with psoriasis or eczema.

The Dermatology Group of the Carolinas advises adopting a winter skincare routine that includes ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore hydration, avoiding hot showers that can dry out skin, using a humidifier and wearing gloves while doing household chores to protect the skin from harsh chemicals.

Other physical conditions

• Reduced blood circulation, decreased barometric pressure and increased muscle tightness can worsen arthritis pain and joint stiffness — but heat therapy may help by boosting blood flow and relaxing muscles.
• Cold activates Raynaud’s syndrome by causing a temporary spasm of small blood vessels in the fingers or toes, severely restricting blood flow to conserve heat. Prevent these episodes by wearing mittens or gloves and avoiding extreme temperature drops.
• Cold weather triggers autoimmune flares in conditions like lupus and multiple sclerosis by thickening the synovial fluid in joints. Heat therapy and anti-inflammatory foods may provide relief.
• With peripheral artery disease, cold weather restricts blood flow through arteries already narrowed by plaque. Try wearing clothes that don’t reduce circulation, staying active indoors and monitoring feet for pale/bluish skin or slow-healing sores.

Mental health woes

Reduced sunlight disrupts the 24-hour internal clock, decreases mood-regulating serotonin and increases the sleep hormone melatonin.

Experts recommend exercising to boost mood, embracing daylight when you can and even trying light therapy.

Don’t forget to maintain relationships, consume foods rich in vitamin D and seek professional help if needed.