Cooling of the air, increased air pollution in winter, viral infections may be an additional risk for the heart. Whether we have a healthy heart or heart disease; Let's prepare our heart for winter. Medical Park Antalya Heart Hospital director, Head of Cardiovascular Surgery Department. Dr. Hüseyin Okutan also found explanations about what we should do about our heart before winter comes. It is appropriate for the heart patients to prepare themselves for this period before the winter months. First of all, does the patient have heart failure? Is failure treatment related to this regulated? Does he use the medicines at a sufficient dose and time? These need to be reviewed. Patients with coronary heart disease, coronary angiography, balloon stent, or bypass surgery; They have to have their routine checks done and adjust their daily lives according to this period. It should be remembered that a drop in body temperature in cold weather can trigger chest pain called angina and facilitate a heart attack. If we add air pollution and smoking or being in a smoking environment to this situation, the situation becomes more risky. Another risk for those with coronary heart disease in the winter is viral infections such as flu. Approximately one-third of patients who have had a heart attack have a pre-crisis flu infection. Although the exact cause of this is not known, it is reported that during the flu infection, an inflammation develops in the coronary vessels, which is called plaque and narrowing, and this triggers a heart attack. As a result of these viral infections, the immune system is weakened, and other infections such as pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media become more risky with the condition of the heart patient. Should the heart patient get the flu shot? We recommend heart patients to have a flu vaccine, especially if there is no obstacle. We know that the flu vaccine has not yet been developed, that is, it has been developed against known flu viruses and can prevent flu infection. Therefore, we recommend the flu vaccine in heart patients. Especially if the patient has chronic brochitis or chronic lung diseases called COPD, these vaccines can be life-saving. How should the heart patient be fed in the winter? Should You Use Vitamins? The use of salt should be clarified in the nutrition of heart patients. In our country, 7 times the daily salt need is used. Excess salt leads to water retention in the body and this increases heart failure. Our suggestion is to stop pouring salt into food (including cucumbers, tomatoes) and allow the use of spices. Again, heart patients are recommended to choose a suitable diet considering their blood cholesterol and fat levels. Patients who do not have nutritional problems, can consume enough fruits and vegetables, do not smoke, do not use chronic alcohol, do not need to use vitamins unless they have a special vitamin deficiency. However, if there are deficient vitamins and minarels, it is important for the immune system to complete them by contacting their physicians. It is useful to measure the vitamin D levels of heart patients before winter. Vitamin D deficiency weakens the immune system. Similarly, measuring iron levels is important for these patients. In people with low iron levels, the immune system cannot work well and the chances of getting a flu infection increase. Due to the probiotic effects in the winter preparation period; yogurt, kefir, ayran, linden, sage and enough water consumption are recommended. How should winter exercises be in heart patients? Cardiac patients can be listed as colds, colds and flu, while the most important danger waiting for them when walking or doing sports outdoors in cold weather. It is important for these patients to protect themselves and not to be sick, especially in cold weather. However, this should not be perceived as quitting exercise. It is also important to walk and play in closed areas, in a windless, sheltered place. Not exercising because it is cold can cause weight gains.