HBP and Weather

There’s no denying the summer has its high points. Walking barefoot in the grass, longer days, even, lower blood pressure. Yes, lower blood pressure can be a high point of summer. Turns out blood pressure decreases in the summer and increases as winter approaches. And it’s true whether you live in Chicago or Miami. According to a decade-long study of more than 40,000 people,  it’s the seasonal CHANGE in temperature that makes the difference, not how BIG that change is or how cold the climate.Researchers think the fluctuation in blood pressure during cooler months is related to constriction of blood vessels. They also hypothesize that less exposure to sunlight, and, as a result, less production of vitamin D, contributes to the blood pressure rise.  There are other seasonal-related factors to consider as well, such as possible weight gain and a slump in physical activity during colder months. Both can affect blood pressure. And remember, changes in outdoor temperature can make it necessary for you to change your treatment for high blood pressure. So have your blood pressure monitored regularly throughout the year – especially if you’re going to cruise off to the Caribbean or jet-set to the Alps. For more information on how to keep your blood pressure in check, look into other videos in this series.