The heat will accompany us throughout July. And although meteorologists promise us a slight cooling during the weekend, next week it will be hot, up to +30 degrees.
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The heat will be with us throughout July. And although meteorologists promise us a slight cooling during the weekend, next week it will be hot, up to +30 degrees.
And with the heat, the number of heart attacks, strokes, exacerbations of chronic diseases, as well as the number of ambulance calls for patients with hypertensive crises and arrhythmias increases. First Deputy Director General – Deputy Director General for Scientific Work of the National Medical Research Center in Cardiology named after him Academician EI Chazov of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Filipp Paleev spoke about how to maintain good health in the heat for patients at risk.
WHO IS AT RISK?
*People over 75 years old.
* Lonely people.
* Those who live in environmentally unfavourable areas (e.g. next to a motorway), on the top floors of high-rise buildings.
* Those who work outdoors, especially those doing heavy physical labor (including gardening).
*Patients with chronic diseases.
– The presence of almost any chronic disease, as well as diseases accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting or fever, pose an additional risk during hot weather. This has been proven especially in patients with mental disorders, such as depression, cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, heart failure), bronchopulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus and strokes,” says Professor Paleev.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE AT RISK. AND NOT ONLY
You can survive the heat without consequences if you know and follow a few simple recommendations:
1. Drink plenty of fluids: at least 2 liters of fluid a day (including soups, fruits, vegetables, etc.).
– In hot weather, a person should drink even if he or she is not thirsty. This is especially important for older people, as their perception of thirst is reduced, notes Philip Paleev. – People suffering from hypertension, heart and kidney failure and who limit their fluid intake require special individual monitoring.
IMPORTANT! A weight loss of one kg or more indicates dehydration, which means that you need to increase your fluid intake. Consult your doctor.
2. What is better to drink and not to drink.
Give preference to clean water, preferably mineral table water, unsweetened juices, fruit drinks and compotes, kvass and green tea.
Avoid sugary and highly carbonated alcoholic beverages (including beer). Reduce your coffee intake.
3. “When it’s hot, stay inside; when it’s cold, go for a walk.”
This simple rule is very important for your health. Remember to take a siesta, spend the hottest hours of the day cool!
If the apartment is also hot, look for islands of coolness: parks, museums (there is air conditioning there). Even 2-3 hours in a cool place will help to avoid cardiovascular complications.
4. Use air conditioning wisely: the temperature should not be less than 25 degrees.
Air conditioning at home is great, but it must be used correctly in hot weather. The room temperature should not be less than +25 degrees. And in extreme heat – only 5 degrees less than outside. If “overboard” it is +34, then at home it should be +29. Large temperature changes are harmful, especially for older people.
5. Wear light-colored clothing made from natural fabrics. Remember your hat!
6. Take a cool (not cold!) shower more often, wash your face or clean yourself with cold water. On the street, use a spray with thermal water (or regular water in a spray bottle).
7. Limit physical activity in the heat; even light loads are best performed at temperatures not exceeding 25 degrees.
IMPORTANT! Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy or agitation, weakness in the extremities, speech problems, chest pain, rapid arrhythmic heartbeat, shortness of breath, severe difficulty breathing with light exertion.
BY THE WAY
Important rules for taking medications in the heat.
*Store your tablets in the refrigerator. Medicines can change their properties at temperatures above +25 degrees.
* Any decisions regarding changes in drug treatment regimens during hot periods should be made by the treating physician on an individual case-by-case basis.
*Never stop taking medication on your own. “A decrease in blood pressure in the heat is a normal adaptive reaction and does not require any measures if it is not accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and severe weakness. If these symptoms appear, contact your doctor,” warns Professor Paleev.
* Do not prescribe yourself additional medications, including diuretics if your legs are swollen, or aspirin. All prescriptions should only be made by a doctor!
