Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Faculty Member, Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Özlem Esen mentioned the negative effects of hot weather on heart patients and gave important warnings and explained the ways to protect the heart in 6 articles.
prof. Dr. Özlem Esen explained the following about the effects of hot weather on heart patients:
“In hot weather, in order to keep the body temperature constant, that is, 'cooler', the veins on the skin surface relax and cause the heart to work harder. This situation actually protects people against heatstroke. If you have a known heart disease or if you are at risk of multiple heart diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, this adaptation may not develop as quickly as desired. When the body is under stress, a condition called heat stroke is experienced among the people.
In fact, sweating, the body's natural response to overheating, is risky for people with heart disease. In this way, not only water but also necessary minerals are removed from the body, causing additional stress on the heart. In addition, some of the drugs people take for heart disease, especially diuretics (diuretic drugs), remove fluid from the body and increase the risk factor even more. These are cornerstone drugs for heart failure and many hypertension drugs are used as combination therapy. Also, some other common heart medications, such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers, change the way the body responds to heat.
Heart patients should continue to take their medications as prescribed during the summer months. However, they should not consume more water than they always drink in order to maintain the body's heat balance. In addition, a cardiologist should be consulted about whether the use of heart medications will change in hot and high humidity conditions.
Özlem Esen informed that, according to a study in which more than 40 thousand people were followed in the UK, an increase in night temperature by even 1 °C causes a 60% increase in cardiac deaths in men aged 64-3.1. Esen said, “In countries located in the middle latitudes such as England, the fact that the temperature does not fall below 25 degrees at night, in addition to the daytime temperature, contributes to the increase in heart-related deaths. It is thought that these countries are not prepared for hot weather and that less use of air conditioning is effective.
Accordingly, it was determined that the increase in the number of particles in the air and the temperature together increased the death rate due to the heart by 30%. It has been reported that those over the age of 75 are at higher risk. Therefore, it is much more important to be protected in hot weather in densely populated cities like Istanbul.” made its assessments.
6 ways to protect your heart in the heat
prof. Dr. Özlem Esen summarized in 6 items what people with risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes should pay attention to on hot and sunny days.
“If you are planning to participate in heavy exercises and are not used to it, or if you are starting a new sport, make an appointment and get approval from your doctor for a comprehensive checkup.
Drink plenty of water when outside in hot or humid weather or indoors without air conditioning. That means a minimum of eight glasses of water. If you are exercising or doing anything active, you should consume more. Drinking water should be followed by relatives, especially in people over the age of 75, due to the decrease in the feeling of thirst. In addition, since dementia patients cannot follow up fluids, similarly, fluid intake should be followed under the risk of thirst.
Avoid direct sun exposure during the hottest times of the day (10:00 – 16:00), this is also important for skin cancer prevention.
You should rest at home and wear loose, light cotton clothes, stay away from synthetic fabrics. Keep the windows and curtains closed in your rooms that get sun in the daytime.
Avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as fried, oily and pastries. Foods with high water sources such as salads, fresh vegetables and fruits should be preferred. Do not stay in front of the stove or oven for a long time to cook.
Those with congenital heart disease, heart failure, patients using more than 2 blood pressure medications and those with chronic kidney failure should especially be protected from overheating and water and mineral losses. Excessive fluid and mineral losses of these patients can cause fatal rhythm disturbances.
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