Blood Pressure and Weather
What's the connection?
The study included almost 9,000 people aged 65 and older. They were examined at different times of the year and therefore at different temperatures. In winter the average systolic value was about 5 mmHg higher than in the summer months.
If the participants had been classified as hypertensive (patients with high blood pressure) based on their measured readings, one third would have been affected in winter, while only one quarter would have been in summer.
People over 80 are especially affected by the changes in blood pressure that depend on the weather or outdoor temperature.
Why does this happen?
In cold weather, the opposite happens: to protect the body from heat loss, the peripheral blood vessels and capillaries narrow so that less blood flows to them the remaining blood must therefore be carried at a higher pressure. For people with severe hypertension this can be dangerous even the risk of a heart attack increases in winter.
Sources:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based information and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
