The heat is an emergency not only for our skin, but also for our body, which is expected in the next few days according to the forecasts. The Hungarian Association of Cardiologists warns both healthy people and those with heart disease during the heat wave: avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., because in addition to sunburn, you can also get heat stroke, look for shade and make sure to constantly replenish water and salt! Those who regularly take medication should definitely consult their doctor – heat can also modify their effect.
During a warm front and at the onset of summer, it can be a lifesaver if we follow the recommendations of the Association of Hungarian Cardiologists.
Daytime temperatures above 30 degrees put our entire body to the test. While healthy people adapt to the heat more easily, the sick, especially heart patients, suffer from the summer. As a result of the heat, the peripheral blood vessels expand, which burdens the heart even more than usual.
- Blood pressure fluctuation and general weakness and malaise are typical in this case.
- The risk of heart attack will also be greater, in addition, edema formation and thrombosis may occur more often.
“Cooked” proteins, dilated blood vessels
“On the one hand, extreme heat can cause serious problems even in a healthy body, heat shock, heat stroke is the most serious consequence, when the body’s proteins specifically “cook”and this can even cause heart attack-like symptoms in addition to other serious symptoms. This has nothing to do with the heart, in which case the heat balance of the entire body is upset and this can cause a tragedy.
Which directly affects the cardiovascular system the heat dilates the blood vessels. This could even be good for patients with coronary artery disease, but it puts more strain on the body’s motor and the heart than usual, as the heat makes it work harder.
A water balance is also easily upset, in addition to kidney problems, which are already common in people with heart failure, this is especially dangerous – especially when taking diuretics regularly. Therefore, it is extremely important to replenish fluids, as dehydration can happen unnoticed. The majority of heart patients have arteriosclerosis, the blood vessels transport blood through narrower “channels”. The brain gives the command to pump more blood to the heart, because the body is exposed to greater stress, but the coronary arteries will not be more permeable, the heart will be in a state of oxygen deficiency and will not be able to follow the desired pace,” warns Dr. Dávid Becker, Secretary General of the Hungarian Association of Cardiologists.
Dosing medication in heat – only the doctor can decide!
“The current weather lowers blood pressure, or can cause blood pressure fluctuations, it can also increase the effect of medications, so it is important to discuss with the treating doctor whether they should change the dosage for this period, but in no way should we decide to abandon the preparations ourselves just because we have no complaints at the moment ” says the cardiologist, who also warns about the dangers of playing sports.
You have to move – but only carefully!
“Heart patients, just like healthy people, need regular exercise, but during the heat wave, everyone should be careful when they do it and not to overdo it.
Playing sports in the heat: how to protect yourself?
In this case, the basic rule becomes stronger: only as much as is “sportingly” comfortable, that is, heart patients must refrain from extreme exertion! Dehydration can develop in seconds, but as a result of physical exertion, we lose not only water, but also electrolytes. Including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride.
Heat and exercise increase the body’s need for electrolytes, which must be constantly replenished along with fluids. In addition to all of this, it’s important to remember: don’t test your limits or try extreme strenuous sports at this time, and just like sunbathing, the golden rule is true here: stay in the shade between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” adds the general secretary.
Healthy tips for hot days
- On holiday days, spend the midday and early afternoon hours at home in a relatively cool, darkened room.
- In hot weather, shower with lukewarm or cold water several times.
- Older people should not time their market shopping for the hottest hours!
- Ventilate at night if possible.
- Limit your time outdoors to early morning (6-10 a.m.) and evening hours (6-10 p.m.), try to rest in a shady place during the day.
- If you have been outside for too long, try to spend at least 1-2 hours in an air-conditioned environment (shopping center, public building, library) while your body cools down.
- Reduce physical work!
- Do not do large-scale cleaning or physically demanding work at this time!
- If you have the means, then postpone it, if you absolutely have to do it now, then only start canning in the evening hours, also with constant ventilation.
- In hot weather, expect that fluid loss through sweat and evaporation will increase significantly. Constant fluid replacement is important!
- In addition to increased fluid loss, increased salt loss also occurs, replace sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium as well – drink mineral water.
- Avoid drinks that contain a lot of sugar, caffeine or alcohol.
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Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
