The cold wave in India's northern states is wreaking havoc, as dozens of deaths have been reported due to heart attack and brain stroke, causing major concern for the country's health officials.
Within the last 24 hours, 14 patients who suffered from severe colds died of a heart attack in Kanpura, Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, 14 patients died from the same cause: six died during heart disease treatment and eight had died by the time they arrived at the hospital.
According to a report by L.P.S Institute of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, 98 people in total have died in the city in the past five days, while around 604 patients are still being treated. Of those deceased, 44 died at the hospital, while 54 were declared dead before they could receive help.
Dr. Mukesh Goel, a Cardiac Surgeon at Delhi's Apollo Hospital, told Sputnik that in cold weather, even young people get heart attacks.
"It's a well-known fact that cold weather causes a jump in heart attacks. People should avoid exposure to extreme cold weather, especially the elderly and those with underlying risk factors like diabetes and hypertension or pre-existing heart conditions."
The need of the hour is to take precautionary measures to prevent oneself from strokes and attacks.
Dr. Goel suggested: "Apart from avoiding exposure to extremely cold weather, people should get regular health checks, keep blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control, stop smoking, drink in moderation, follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise."