How Weather Changes Affect Health

Blood Pressure

Whether an individual realizes it or not, the weather and specifically, the temperature outside, influences blood pressure. As mentioned previously, blood vessels tend to tighten during the winter due to the cold. This forces the heart to work harder to move blood through the body’s veins, which typically results in higher blood pressure. However, when the weather starts to warm again, the blood vessels will expand, which means it takes less effort from the heart to pump blood throughout the body, and thus results in lower blood pressure. For the most part, the changes in blood pressure are subtle and are no cause for worry, but for an individual who has issues with blood pressure, such as hypertension or hypotension, they may wish to consult with their primary doctor to determine the best course of action to manage their situation.

Continue reading to learn about the major influence weather can have on an individual’s mental health.