HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Frigid temperatures can do more than just give you the chills, it can actually affect your blood pressure.

New research in Europe published this month shows in its control group, blood pressure was five points higher in winter than in the summer.

Dr. Salah El-Bash of St. Mary’s Internal Medicine says there is a reason for that, “When the weather's cold outside our body releases chemicals that clamp down blood vessels, in the process when that happens, that in effect can raise blood pressure.”

That’s why exercise physiologist Jill Horton says taking your workout outside in these low temperatures can be especially dangerous.

“Hats, gloves, scarves, layers of clothing to conserve that body heat, but exercising outside this time of year is really just dangerous to anyone if you have high blood pressure or not,” Horton said.

“It’s going to increase your blood pressure, the cold weather can increase your blood pressure and worse hypertension,” Dr. El Bash said.

High blood pressure and hypertension can be deadly if ignored, so a regular checkup is recommended.

Also this time of year, another thing to be careful about is over the counter cold medicines, many decongestants also cause blood pressure to spike.

So if you have high blood pressure, contact your doctor before taking an over the counter medicine to battle that cold.