Low temperatures can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in some people, East Midlands Ambulance Service has warned.
It said extreme temperatures cause people’s blood vessels and airways to narrow making long term conditions such as lung diseases worse and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke in the vulnerable.
Dr James Gray, EMAS’ medical director, said: “The cold has an adverse affect on many long-term conditions and strenuous activities such as shovelling snow in freezing temperatures can increase the risk of heart attack for those who are already vulnerable.
“Keeping warm is key to keeping well. It’s especially important that elderly people heat their home and have hot meals as they’re more vulnerable to the effects of the cold.”
Dr Gray said slips and trips on ice and snow, as well as road traffic accidents due to driving without due care in freezing conditions, account for a large number of calls-outs during winter and advised everyone to be extra careful and not take risks.
He added: “People can make a real difference to elderly neighbours by checking that they’re well this winter and offering to help with shopping if it’s hard for them to get outside.”
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