Heart Problems and The Heat

Officially, summer is afoot, and weather forecasts are predicting soaring temperatures and heat waves across most of the country. The global warming-related climate change is providing more, unprecedented heat, year by year. ‘Being exposed to extremely hot weather can increase the risk of heart issues, especially among chronically ill patients’, shares Best Cardiac Surgeon in India.

If your heart is weak or you have a pre-existing health issue that puts you at risk of serious heart problems, you have landed on the right page. This summer season healthcare experts recommend everyone to stay cool and protected from any heart issues.

How does heat impact heart health?

Exposure to elevated temperature can increase the risk of heat exhaustion and stroke, potentially increasing the burden on heart health. The heat stress on the cardiovascular system can make the heart pump harder, putting one at risk of hypotension, blood vessel expansion, heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), heart attacks, and heart failure, possibly death. The higher the temperature, the more the threat.

Our body is designed to shed extra heat, which impacts heart health. The two ways by which heat is shed by our body are radiation and evaporation. Radiation is when the body radiates heat to the surrounding air which is cooler. This requires rerouting blood flow to the skin. Evaporation is when the body perspires to draw heat away from the skin. This works well when the surrounding air is dry. If humid, the sweat just settles on the skin and increases core temperature. To help the body shed heat, the heart starts pumping harder.

What to do to protect from heat-induced heart problems?

Here are some basic strategies to follow to stay cool and heart-healthy:

Keep a check on the weather forecast and stay indoors on too-hot days.
When outdoors, seek shade and drink plenty of refreshing fluids.
Eat healthy, light meals.
Limit physical exertion during peak hours of heat.
Do not have diuretics, sodas, fruit juice, or alcohol in excess.
Wear light-colored and light-weight, breathable clothing that fully covers the body.

Consult a heart specialist for personalized, summer health advice, if having pre-existing health issues. If experiencing signs of heart failure, visit Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgeon. He expertise in performing heart failure surgery in Delhi and many more services with high success rates. Consult now for details!

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