Severe winter weather, be it snow or cold or both should include an awareness of how storms affect our body. The cold causes blood vessels to contract and coronary arteries to constrict which can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Physical activity you may be accustomed to in normal temperatures, can add stressors to the heart in outdoor cold. Those reminders from the American Heart Association also suggest care in choosing over-the-counter cold or flu medication, especially if you already have high blood pressure. It is best to check with your healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking a product to reduce flu or cold symptoms. The basic message is don’t over do it. Even walking through snow requires extra effort.