Answer:
Great question. Here are a few additional thoughts about your particular situation:
- You mentioned a trip to Lake Tahoe, so keep in mind that altitude by itself, even without the cold weather, is a special consideration for patients with heart disease, due to the effect of decreased oxygen at higher altitudes.
- Patients should be careful about hypothermia (the body getting too cold) as this can lead to more stress.
- Cold weather activities require extra energy which could lead to extra stress on the heart.
- Coming down with a cold and the flu can be an additive stress on the heart.