How should cardiac patients behave in the heat? 6 tips from a cardiologist

How should cardiac patients behave in the heat? 6 tips from a cardiologist

In the material you will also learn at the appearance of which symptoms you need to sound the alarm.

Strong heat negatively affects human health, but it especially affects the health of people who have any heart problems.

How does heat affect heart patients?

Candidate of medical sciences, cardiologist, head of the polyclinic department of the clinic “Euroonko”

“High temperatures make the heart beat faster to cool the body. With each successive half-degree above normal, the heart rate increases by 10 beats per minute.”

Frequent heartbeats, in turn, put extra strain on the heart, especially in people with pre-existing conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure or arrhythmias.

Heat causes increased sweating, which can lead to dehydration. This thickens the blood, making it harder for the heart to function and increasing the risk of blood clots.

In addition, some medications for cardiovascular disease, such as diuretics and beta-blockers, can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.

People with cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to heat stroke, the most life-threatening heat-related condition that overheating leads to. The body stops regulating its own body temperature and it begins to rise uncontrollably. If a person in this condition is not given emergency and qualified help, heat stroke can be fatal.

How should cardiac patients behave in the heat?

In conditions of high temperatures, people with heart disease need to make changes to their usual daily routine.

1. First of all, adjust your schedule: transfer physical activity to a cooler time of day (early morning, evening).
2. In the heat, you should not be outdoors, exposed to direct sunlight. You should spend time in rooms with air conditioning or a fan.
3. If you have no air conditioner or fan, you can make wet compresses (for example, from towels) and apply them to the head, neck, wrists, under the knees.
4. Showers should be cool, not icy.
5. If you still need to be outside, you should dress properly: clothes should be made of natural, breathable fabrics (linen, cotton). You should wear a hat to protect your head.
6. Drink plenty of fluids – more than usual, even if you are not thirsty. During a heat wave, it is better to drink mineral water rather than juices or sweet sodas.

What symptoms should I see a doctor for?

A person with cardiovascular disease should consult a doctor at any serious indisposition, especially in hot weather. This can be weakness, malaise, nausea.

It is especially important to know the symptoms of heat stroke, so that in time to recognize the danger and provide a person with help:

• changes in consciousness: confusion of thoughts, slurred speech, loss of consciousness;
• severe headache, dizziness, lack of coordination;
• fever: high body temperature (above 40°C), hot, dry skin (may be moist with heat exhaustion);
• gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, vomiting;
• rapid pulse, rapid breathing.
• convulsions.

If these symptoms occur, an ambulance should be called immediately.