How should heart patients behave in the heat? 6 tips from a cardiologist
July 5, 2024, 15:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
In the material you will also learn what symptoms you need to sound the alarm when they appear.
Extreme heat negatively affects human health, but it especially affects the health of people with heart problems.
What we will tell you about:
How does heat affect heart patients?
Ph.D., cardiologist, head of the outpatient department of the Euroonko clinic
“High temperatures cause the heart to beat faster to cool the body. With each subsequent half-degree above normal, the heart rate increases by 10 beats per minute.”
A rapid heartbeat, in turn, puts additional strain on the heart, especially in people with pre-existing conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure or arrhythmia.
Heat causes increased sweating, which can lead to dehydration. This thickens the blood, making it harder for the heart to pump and increasing the risk of blood clots forming.
Read also:
A gastroenterologist has named 9 foods that should not be eaten in the heat. In addition, some medications for cardiovascular diseases, such as diuretics and beta-blockers, can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Photo: istockphoto.com/brizmaker
People with cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to heat stroke, the most life-threatening heat-related condition caused by overheating of the body. The body stops regulating body temperature and it begins to rise uncontrollably. If a person in this condition does not receive qualified emergency assistance, heat stroke can be fatal.
How should heart patients behave in the heat?
With high temperatures, people with heart disease need to make changes to their daily routine.
Read also:
How to cool an apartment without air conditioning in hot weather. 8 easy ways First of all, adjust your schedule: move physical activity to the coolest hours of the day (early morning, evening, in the heat you should not be outdoors, exposed to direct sunlight). You should spend time in rooms with air conditioning or a fan. If you do not have air conditioning or a fan, you can make wet compresses (for example, from towels) and apply them to your head, neck, wrists, below the knees. The shower should not be icy, but cool. If you still need to be outside, you should dress properly: clothes should be made of natural, breathable fabrics (linen, cotton). Wear a hat to protect your head. Drink plenty of fluids – more than usual, even if you are not thirsty. During the heat, it is better to drink regular mineral water instead of juices or sweet sodas.
What symptoms should you consult a doctor for?
A person with cardiovascular disease should consult a doctor in case of any serious illness, especially in hot weather. This may include weakness, malaise, nausea.
Photo: istockphoto.com/Sitthiphong
It is especially important to know the symptoms of heat stroke in order to recognize the danger in time and provide assistance to the person:
changes in consciousness: confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness; severe headache, dizziness, loss of coordination; fever; high body temperature (over 40°C), hot and dry skin (possibly clammy due to heat exhaustion); vomiting; rapid pulse, rapid breathing. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately call an ambulance.
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