Cold Health Threats

The human body responds in several different ways (physiological effects) to exposure to cold weather, even at temperatures which might be considered relatively mild. These effects include:

• increased blood pressure
• increased risk of clotting
• suppression of the immune system
• diminished capacity of the lungs to fight off infection
• increased airway constriction and mucus production in the lungs

Although exposure to extreme cold can kill directly through hypothermia, this is not the main cause of cold-related illness and death. The health impacts of cold weather can have direct and indirect effects.