Lorraine: Dr Amir on health issues caused by energy price hike
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The energy price hike could put you at an “increased risk” of a heart attack, Dr Amir warned on ITV’s Lorraine. The doctor explained the health impacts that millions of households might experience amid the soaring energy prices.
The doctor said that as a GP he looks after families that live on “that thin line” between being able to afford heating and food.
He added: “It has really devastating impacts on their health.
“If you can’t afford to heat your home, it actually causes an increased risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.
“Your blood vessels get thinner to conserve the heat, that pushes your blood pressure up and over time that has an impact on your heart attack and stroke risk.”
Heart attack poses a “serious” medical emergency, characterised by a blocked supply of blood to your heart, the NHS explains.
As the TV doctor explained, one of the triggers for this emergency is high blood pressure.
Around a third of adults already suffer from this “silent” condition that doesn’t cause many symptoms, making it difficult to spot.
However, it can boost your risk of severe health problems if left untreated.
Poor lifestyle choices are well-known for increasing your risk of blood pressure. But according to Dr Amir, cold homes can also contribute to this culprit.
What’s worse, the “difficult” choice of cutting back on heating your home could soon become a reality for millions.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The mains symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling weak
- Feeling lightheaded
- Overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
If you believe you or someone else is having a heart attack, you need to call 999 and ask for an ambulance, the NHS stresses.
The other “serious” medical emergency that could be caused by not being able to afford heating is a stroke.
The NHS reports that this condition is triggered by a cut off in the blood supply to the brain and can be “life-threatening”.
Similarly to a heart attack, this emergency also needs “urgent medical treatment”.
The warning signs of stroke can be spotted on the face, in the arms or in speech.
However, these three serious conditions aren’t the only health problems that cold homes could see.
Dr Amir added: “People living in cold, damp homes [are] at more increased risk of chest infections like pneumonia.
“If you suffer from asthma or COPD [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], you’re more likely to end up in a hospital because of those conditions as well.
“So, it’s really serious.”
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