Winter care tips for chronic conditions: asthma, diabetes & heart disease
Winter can present unique challenges to everyone, from navigating work with snow days to experiencing car trouble to trying to avoid cold and flu germs. Chronic condition management can add another layer, as cold temperatures may exacerbate symptoms or require additional preparation.
Understanding the impact of winter on chronic conditions
Knowing how cold temperatures and seasonal challenges can affect chronic health conditions can help you be prepared and minimize problems. First, what is a chronic condition? This refers to an ongoing health issue that requires regular medical attention or limits daily activities.
For many people, winter often leads to reduced physical activity and changes in dietary habits. We may stay inside more and be exposed to less healthy comfort foods more frequently. If you have diabetes, for example, this may exacerbate fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.
When it’s cold outside, blood vessel constriction can occur, increasing blood pressure and making cardiovascular symptoms more pronounced. These temperatures may also worsen inflammation, increase joint pain and make it harder to breathe for those with respiratory conditions like asthma.
Managing chronic conditions in the winter may involve adapting exercise routines to indoor environments, prioritizing a balanced diet for energy and immunity and ensuring a structured schedule for medications. Finding ways to be proactive is key to managing the potential effects of winter on chronic conditions.
Managing asthma in winter
Avoiding cold air triggers
Cold air exposure can trigger flare-ups of asthma symptoms. Using scarves and masks or staying indoors during extreme weather helps retain warmth and alleviate stress on your breathing.
Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality is especially important if you’re spending more time inside in the winter. Use air purifiers, keep humidity levels moderate and ventilate periodically to reduce allergens and prevent dry air.
Staying prepared with medications
If you take medications to help manage your condition, it’s a good idea to have an ample supply in preparation for storms and disrupted travel plans. Store them at recommended temperatures, and consider having an emergency supply for your car or workplace if needed.
Winter care tips for diabetes
If you have diabetes, prioritize your hydration, daily movement and nutrition as much as possible. Communicate any needs or concerns to your healthcare provider, who can help you navigate whether changes are appropriate in the winter.
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Colder months can impact blood sugar if you tend to exercise less often or indulge in less nutritious holiday foods. Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly can help you keep them stabilized and know when medication or dietary adjustments are needed.
Dietary considerations for winter
Winter is a wonderful season for warm, nutrient-dense foods like soups, hearty chilis and stews, whole grains and root vegetables. Eating a variety of healthy foods helps stabilize energy and blood sugar levels, supports immunity and benefits weight management goals.
Staying active indoors
Physical activity is essential for overall health and the management of chronic conditions. When you’re stuck inside, try things like yoga, resistance bands or bodyweight exercises like lunges, stair climbing, squats, sit-ups and push-ups. You could even use a jump rope or treadmill if you have them.
Heart disease management in winter
Avoiding sudden exertion in cold weather
Exerting your body too quickly when it’s cold can put extra strain on your heart. Warm up appropriately before exercising or going out to shovel your driveway and pace yourself.
Staying warm and maintaining circulation
Staying warm helps support a healthy blood flow throughout your body, which is especially important if you have cardiovascular disease. To retain more warmth in the winter, have extra socks, gloves, hats and scarves handy. Layer your clothes and have blankets in the car for emergencies.
Monitoring blood pressure
Blood pressure rises when it’s cold out due to blood vessel constriction. If you know you have high blood pressure, monitor it regularly at home so you can detect any unusual changes.
General winter care tips for chronic conditions
Staying hydrated
Even if your thirst decreases in the winter, hydration needs to stay the same. Keeping your fluids up helps support healthy joints, regulate blood sugar and promote circulation. It can be helpful to fill a reusable water bottle in the morning to sip on throughout the day.
Taking precautions against seasonal illnesses
Management of chronic conditions in the winter also relies on keeping your immune system as healthy as possible. Optimize your diet pattern, stay active, get preventive flu vaccines, wash your hands regularly and avoid crowded spaces where germs are prevalent.
Preparing for winter emergencies
A winter emergency kit can help ease your mind and prevent health complications. It should include bottled water, shelf-stable food items, backup heating and light options and essential medications.
Staying healthy through cold weather challenges
A little preparation goes a long way, especially when navigating chronic condition management in the winter. Cold temperatures can present unexpected challenges, but by understanding your personal needs, adjusting your habits as necessary and having essential items on hand, you can minimize your risk of complications.
When you do need preventative vaccines or get sick or injured this winter, the staff is here to help. Walk into any of the facilities or schedule an appointment online. Click here to find an urgent care location near you.
Sources
- Xu D, Zhang Y, Wang B, Yang H, Ban J, Liu F, Li T. Acute effects of temperature exposure on blood pressure: An hourly level panel study. Environ Int. 2019 Mar;124:493-500. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.045. Epub 2019 Jan 24. PMID: 30685451.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on February 24th 2025.
