how do the blood vessels of the skin respond to cold temperatures?
Frigid winds make you shiver; dry air chaps unprotected lips and hands; and a lack of sunshine can even cause depression. Cold weather also puts immense strain on the heart. Low temperatures cause your blood vessels and arteries to narrow, restricting blood flow and reducing oxygen to the heart. Your heart must pump harder to circulate blood through the constricted blood vessels. As a result, your blood pressure increases. A sudden spike in blood pressure â especially when paired with outdoor exertion, such as shoveling a snowy sidewalk â can cause serious issues such as: 1  Unstable chest pain.