PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Studies have suggested that people may be more likely to have high blood pressure in the winter months than in the summer, especially in areas where there is a clear temperature difference in the seasons.
The theory suggests cold weather causes blood vessels to clamp down or constrict to keep the body warmer, leading to higher blood pressure.
Doctors have relied more and more on electronic records in recent years and researchers have also studied the data entered into those records. The numbers support the notion that people's blood pressure does increase in colder months.
The next step is to look at the impact of treatment.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
