COOL
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Hypothermia is a well-known killer, but there are many other situations where the cold is not the obvious cause of death.
For example, surveys of blood donors revealed that blood pressure rose significantly after temperature drops. Figures showed increases of between 12 and 18 mmHg. While such an increase is not significant for a healthy person, it is sometimes a deciding factor for a person suffering already from high blood pressure.
Lower temperatures also change the composition of the blood. The change is almost immediate and persists for up to two days. The number of particles in the blood, such as platelets, red blood cells, fibrinogen and cholesterol, increases in cold conditions and make the blood thicker (increased viscosity). Some tests showed an increase in viscosity by up to 21%.
The risk of blood clotting increases also and together with the high viscosity may lead to blocked blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs – the precursor for a stroke.
Cold Mortality
Cold - the silent killer
