People with cardiovascular diseases – hypertensive patients, patients with coronary heart disease, those who have had a myocardial infarction or stroke, as well as those suffering from heart rhythm disturbances – need to be especially careful in hot weather. Cardiologist Lyudmila Kuznetsova from SM-Clinic explained in an interview with Gazeta.Ru why heat poses an increased danger to them.
According to the specialist, the body responds to high temperature increases sweating to cool down, which leads to blood thickening and increases the risk of blood clots. Loss of minerals through sweat can trigger arrhythmia. Heat also causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which increases the likelihood of vascular complications such as stroke and heart attack.
Symptoms indicating overheating and the negative effects of heat include weakness, headache, dizziness, spots before the eyes, nausea, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. When they appear, you need to go to a cool place, sit or lie down and measure your blood pressure and pulse.
It is advisable to have someone nearby who can help. You should take medications to lower your blood pressure and drink a glass of mineral water. If symptoms do not go away for more than an hour, you need to call an ambulance.
To minimize the negative impact of heat on the body, the cardiologist advises following several rules. Drink enough fluids, preferably mineral water, to prevent blood thickening and mineral deficiency. Reduce physical activity and avoid lifting weights so as not to provoke an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
“Hot weather can have a significant impact not only on people with heart disease, but also on people with hypertension (high blood pressure), and this effect can be dangerous. Hot weather can cause blood vessels to widen (vasodilation), which leads to low blood pressure.” pressure. This can cause dizziness, weakness and even fainting, especially in people taking medications to lower blood pressure,” says therapist Irina Andreeva especially for MedicForum.
Increased sweating.
When it's hot, people sweat more, which leads to loss of fluids and electrolytes. Dehydration and loss of important minerals such as sodium and potassium can lead to high blood pressure and worsening of the condition.
Risk of heat stroke
People with hypertension are at higher risk of risk of heatstroke, especially if they do not take sufficient measures to cool and hydrate.
Thickening of the blood
“Losing fluid through sweat can cause the blood to thicken, which increases the risk of blood clots. This is especially dangerous for people with hypertension, as blood clots can cause strokes.”
To minimize risks, people with hypertension should:
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated.
- Avoid sun exposure during the hottest part of the day.
- Wear light and light-colored clothing.
- Stay in cool rooms with air conditioning or fans.
- Regularly measure blood pressure.
- Take medications as prescribed by your doctor and consult with him about possible changes in dosage in hot weather.
- Avoid intense physical activity in the heat.
MedicForum previously wrote about the dangers of processed carbohydrates.
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.