When it’s cold outside, you might notice that your pulmonary hypertension (PH) symptoms get worse. Cold air can affect the blood pressure in your lungs, making it harder to manage your condition. When temperatures drop, taking extra steps to protect yourself can make a big difference.

Understanding how cold weather affects PH can help you better manage your symptoms during the winter. Talking to your doctor can also give you strategies and treatments to stay more comfortable, even in chilly conditions.

How Does Cold Weather Affect Pulmonary Hypertension and Blood Pressure in the Lungs?

Hypertension refers to high blood pressure. PH develops when the blood pressure in the lungs rises beyond safe levels. People diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have a PH type with thick or narrowed blood vessels that originate from the right side of the heart. These vessels are called pulmonary arteries, and they bring oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to fill them with oxygen. PH, including PAH, makes it harder for blood to flow through the lungs, which means the blood doesn’t get enough oxygen.

When PH reduces oxygen in the blood, it can cause symptoms throughout the body. Some of these include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and swelling in the hands and feet. PH can lead to other cardiovascular (heart) problems, such as blood clots, enlargement of the right side of the heart, irregular heartbeats, and heart failure.

Do Blood Vessels Constrict in the Cold?

Cold weather can cause constricting, or narrowing, of the blood vessels in the lungs. If you have PH, you already have trouble getting enough oxygen from your lungs into your blood. When the air is cold, it can make it even harder to breathe, and you may feel more short of breath than usual.

High altitudes can also worsen the effects of cold weather on those with PH. Because there are lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes, it’s already harder to breathe. When you add cold temperatures to that, circumstances worsen — leading to more severe shortness of breath and lightheadedness.

People diagnosed with PH may also experience Raynaud’s phenomenon. In Raynaud’s phenomenon, exposure to cold (or even cool) air causes the fingers and toes to constrict, turning red or purple at the slightest hint of cold.

What Does Pulmonary Hypertension Feel Like in Cold Weather?

Some people diagnosed with PH find that the condition is even worse when it’s cold outside. Many myPHteam members have experienced this. “I live in Canada,” shared one member, “and now that winter has arrived, I have noticed it is really hard to take a deep breath or walk very far outside in the cold air.”

Another wrote, “This cold, cold weather isn’t helping. I have a much harder time breathing when I go outside.”

This issue is echoed throughout the PH community. Member after member agrees: “I am really struggling with the cold weather,” wrote one member, while another shared, “It’s cold, and it affects my breathing.”

One member summed it up: “I don’t mind the cold, but my breathing does sometimes.”

It’s common to struggle with shortness of breath in cold weather while being active. This is especially true when it comes to tasks like shoveling snow or cleaning out your gutters, which can become much more difficult. Some people may spend a lot of time alone in the winter because leaving the house is challenging.

Managing PH Symptoms in Cold Weather

Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact of cold weather on your PH. You should also talk to your doctor or pulmonologist about your symptoms — especially if you notice them worsening when it’s cold outside. They can help you come up with solutions and treatment options to help manage your symptoms, even on chilly days.

Cover Your Nose and Mouth

Whenever you’re outside in cold weather, covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask helps warm the air, which can prevent the blood vessels in your lungs from getting too narrow.

If you worry that you’ll forget to protect your nose and mouth from the cold, keep your face covering near the door or in the pocket of your jacket. That way, you’ll always be able to grab it when you need it. This can be especially helpful if the outside temperature suddenly drops or if you start to have trouble breathing. One member even suggested, “If I put it in the sleeve of my coat, I have it when readying to venture out.”

Warm Up Your Lungs

Before you go outdoors when you know it’s going to be cold, warm up your lungs first. Do some light exercises to make your heart pump a little faster and more energetically. Walking around your house a few times before you go outside may help.

Doing light exercise before heading outside can help your body get ready for the cold. Exercise makes your heart beat faster, preparing it to work harder in chilly air. This also helps your lungs take in oxygen more efficiently when exposed to cold air, so you’re less likely to feel out of breath.

Get Help With Outdoor Tasks

Even if your PH is mild, you may want to avoid being too active outside when it’s cold. One myPHteam member offered this suggestion: “In colder weather, it is best to avoid strenuous activity, such as shoveling snow. Ask neighbors or friends to help clear your sidewalks and driveway.”

If you’d rather not ask for help, you may want to offer to pay a local teenager to do your shoveling. You can set up a system where they shovel your driveway each time it snows. If you want to avoid going outside, you can arrange to leave money out for them in your mailbox or send them payment electronically.

Make Plans To Stay Warm

No matter where you live or where you’re going, you can plan to stay warm. If you’re at home, make sure you stay warm with heating, blankets, cozy slippers, or other ways to keep comfortable, like a fireplace or space heater if you have them. If you’re going to be in the car, take blankets and hot water bottles, and wear plenty of layers of clothing so you can stay comfortable.

Consider Indoor Air Irritants

Because staying inside is the best way to stay warm when it’s cold outside, make sure that your indoor air quality is high. After all, dry air can also irritate your lungs, and dust or allergens in your HVAC system can make breathing hard, too. You may need to install a humidifier and/or clean your air ducts so you can breathe easier this winter.

Treat Your Pulmonary Hypertension

If you aren’t taking medication for PH, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Some include:

• Diuretics — Medications that remove extra fluid in the body
• Anticoagulants — Also known as blood thinners
• Vasodilators — Help relax restricted blood vessels
• Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors — Increase the flow of blood through the body
• Endothelin receptor agonists — Widen narrowed blood vessels
• Oxygen therapy — Helps you breathe

Managing PH in cold weather can be tough, but there are ways to make it easier. Keep warm, protect your lungs, and try to avoid heavy outdoor tasks. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that works for you, including medications or therapies that can help. With the right care and a few simple steps, you can stay more comfortable and manage your symptoms during the colder months.

Find Your Team

On myPHteam, the social network for people with pulmonary hypertension and their loved ones, more than 56,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with pulmonary hypertension.

Are your PH symptoms worse when it’s cold outside or with other weather changes? How do you manage them? Share your experience and tips in the comments below or by posting on your Activities page.