The 7 health risks of not turning the heating on – from deadly heart attack to nasty bugs

WITH temperatures dropping, some of us may be faced with a big decision. Is it time to turn the heating on? Or, do we keep it switched off for as long as possible?

Two-thirds of Brits are worried about heating their homes this winter, according to a survey by Currys.

Whilst these worries are warranted - after all, energy bills have increased dramatically - there are also dangers to maintaining a cold home.

Ian Budd, Clinical Lead and Pharmacist at says that living in a cold home can leave you more vulnerable to a range of illnesses and conditions.

Adults aged 65 and over and children, especially those under five, are at higher risk of the effects of living in a cold home. 

Plus, to make matters worse, getting ill because of the cold can lead to you needing time off from work, potentially losing income and making it harder to afford heating bills.

The NHS recommends keeping the rooms you spend most of your time in at 18°C or above.

Any colder, and you may be putting yourself at risk of these health conditions…

1. Rise in blood pressure

A cold home doesn’t just cause a rise in your heart rate but also your blood pressure.

“Blood vessels narrow as a response to cold temperatures. This is known as ‘vasoconstriction’,” says Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Online Pharmacy.

“This creates more pressure in the rest of the circulatory system and the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. 

“This is a normal response, but the extra strain may lead to heart symptoms for people who have an existing condition, especially during exercise.”

2. Potential heart attack or stroke

Older people tend to feel the cold more as they age, which Abbas says is partly due to a slowdown in their natural metabolic rate, and also because their bodies are producing fewer blood vessels.

“This makes it harder for their blood, and subsequently heat, to reach extremities like the hands and feet, leaving them feeling colder.

“When we start to get cold, our blood becomes thicker, which can cause clotting and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

"It’s important to stay warm in winter if you have a heart condition.”

3. Increased risk of hypothermia

“The body begins to lose heat faster than it is produced when exposed to cold temperatures and prolonged exposure will eventually use up your body’s stored energy,” says Abbas.

“This may lead to hypothermia or an abnormally low body temperature which affects the brain, causing a person unable to think clearly or move well.”

He adds that hypothermia is ‘particularly dangerous’ because a person may not know it is happening and will not be able to do anything about it.

4. Asthma can worsen

If you suffer from asthma, it could be made worse by a cold environment.

“Cold air is dry, which irritates your airways,” says Abbas.

“It can also make you produce more mucus, which can make your asthma feel worse. As well as this, a colder home is prone to developing issues with damp and mould which can make symptoms worsen over winter.”

5. Weakens your immune system

Living in a cold environment can mean a higher risk of catching general illnesses such as coughs and colds.

Abbas says: “Some studies have suggested that lower temperatures may affect your immune response.

“The nose and airways are lined with mucus and tiny, hair-like structures called cilia which work as a barrier by trapping viruses that you breathe in and moving them out of your airways.

“Mucus also contains antimicrobial substances that help to protect you from disease.

“However, breathing in cold, dry air during the winter months can affect the mucus and cilia lining your nose and throat, making them less efficient.”

6. Poor mental health

A cold home doesn’t just affect your physical health, it can impact your mind too.

Abbas says that a recent study found that living in a cold home actually doubles the risk of severe mental distress for those with no prior mental ill health and the risk triples for those previously on the borderline of severe mental distress.

7. Risk of arthritis heightens

Feeling achey?

“Your body is more sensitive to pain when it gets cold and this can exacerbate symptoms of arthritis such as pain and stiffness, joint damage, swelling and fatigue,” explains Abbas.

“As your body conserves heat by limiting blood flow to the extremities and pumping more blood to the lungs and heart, this can result in stiffness and pain in the joints.”

Keeping your home warm

With all that being said, heating the home is a cost that some of us have to be rigid with.

“There are a few cost-effective measures you can take to help keep your home warm without your heating bill getting out of control,” says Ian.

“Foil radiator reflector sheets can be placed at the backs of your radiators to redirect heat that’s usually wasted on your walls back into your home, reducing energy wastage.

"Draught excluders can help to keep the cold weather out of your home, and while you can buy some quite cheaply, you can also try making your own to save some money.”

As well as this, keep the doors in your home closed where you can, to keep warmth escaping into lesser-used rooms in your house.

“You can also use individual radiator valves to turn the heating down in rooms that you don’t use as often and keep your energy focused on key rooms like your living room or bedroom,” says Ian.

Of course, some people prefer to keep their bedrooms a little cooler as it helps them to sleep but Ian does warn that it’s best not to let the temperature fall below 18 degrees regularly.

Try to switch to a thicker duvet in the colder months, if you can, and keep a hot water bottle handy for the coldest nights.

Ian also adds that if you can, make sure to check in on elderly and vulnerable people in your community “to make sure they’re keeping warm and are stocked up on essentials, so they won’t have to go out in freezing temperatures”.

“If they need regular medication, encourage them to sign up for a prescription delivery service so they won’t have to head out to the pharmacy, especially when icy pavements are presenting another risk,” says Ian.