A cardiac nurse issued a warning as more than seven million Brits could be at an “increased risk” of life-threatening medical emergencies this week. Amid cold temperatures in the UK, people with cardiovascular disease are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

With weather warnings for snow and ice issued for large parts of the UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is warning people with heart conditions of the potential dangers posed by the cold weather. According to the BHF, cold weather can present specific risks for people with heart conditions because the heart has to work harder which can exacerbate existing health conditions.

Each year in the UK there are thousands of additional deaths from heart and circulatory diseasein the winter months. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to narrow in parts of the body, like the skin, fingers and toes, so that less body heat is lost and more blood and oxygen are re-routed to essential organs, like the heart and brain.

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But this response means the heart must work harder to pump blood around the body, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. The BHF is therefore encouraging people with heart conditions to take precautions to minimise potential health risks during the cold snap.