Hypothermia is a condition in which a person's body temperature dips below 95 degrees F, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People may become hypothermic due to prolonged exposure to cold environmental temperatures. People who develop any signs or symptoms of hypothermia, especially cardiac complications, should seek emergency medical care.
Decreased or Irregular Heart Rate
When a person's body temperature steadily drops due to hypothermia, the body attempts to retain energy by slowing the rate at which the organs function. Consequently, people with hypothermia typically develop an unusually slow or irregular heart rate, which manifests as a weak or slow pulse, MayoClinic.com reports. People who develop heart rate irregularities due to hypothermia should be taken to a warmer environment and evaluated by a medical professional.
Heart Failure and Cardiac Arrest
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures may cause the heart to stop pumping blood through the body, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library warns. Heart failure causes cardiac arrest, which can result in respiratory failure and the loss of consciousness. In the absence of immediate medical intervention, such complications are typically fatal. In fact, approximately 700 people in the United States die each year due to hypothermia, the UMMC reports.
Additional Symptoms and Complications
People with hypothermia may develop additional symptoms prior to developing cardiac complications. Initially, a person may experience excessive body shivering, an automatic response generated by the body to help increase body temperature. Additional symptoms include cool skin, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures or irritability, the UMMC explains. As hypothermia progresses, people may also develop fluid in the lungs, pancreatic inflammation, gangrene of the feet or hands or kidney failure. People who develop any of these symptoms or complications after spending time in cold environments should consult a medical professional for additional guidance and care.
