As the sun shines brighter and the temperatures rise, health concerns start to increase. Exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause skin problems like sunburn and tanning. Heat can also increase the risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. But did you know excessive heat can also affect your heart health?
To understand how high temperatures affect your heart health, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Pranil Gangurde, Cardiologist, Adhikari Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital, Palghar.
The Harvard Medical School said that extreme temperatures increase health risks for people with chronic conditions, including heart problems.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, High temperatures can contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The interaction of high heat and cardiovascular disease contributes to about a quarter of heat-related deaths in the United States as per the agency.
How Do High Temperatures Affect Heart
Explaining this, Dr Gangurde said, “Not only does exposure to high temperatures increase the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but it can also place a particular burden on heart health. It stresses the cardiovascular system and makes the heart work harder. This can increase the chance of heart attacks, heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and heart failure.”
He further explained that our body is designed to shed extra heat in two major ways, each of which may affect the heart.
1. Radiation: For which the heart has to beat faster to increase circulation under the skin surface.
2. Evaporation: Due to which there is a chance of dehydration and hypotension leading to syncope or even increased blood coagulation leads to increased risk of heart attacks.
Also read: Heart Health: Why Your Arteries Harden And Ways To Prevent It?
Some medicines meant to help the heart can add to problems on hot days. Citing an example, Dr Gangurde said, “Beta blockers slow the heartbeat and hinder the heart's ability to circulate blood fast enough for effective heat exchange. Diuretics (water pills) increase urine output and raise the risk of dehydration.”
Precautionary Measures
Here are some preventive measures advised by Dr Gangrude to safeguard your heart health amidst rising temperatures.
- To protect ourselves we must stay inside. Finish your outside venture in the evening and early morning. When outside, try to drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes.
- If you are a heart failure patient the situation is very tricky as you have to maintain balance between fluid intake and loss since excess fluids can build up and cause swelling. Daily body weight monitoring can guide you about daily water intake.
- Avoid tea, coffee, soda or fruit juice and limit alcohol. Soda and fruit juice may slow the passage of water from the digestive system to the bloodstream. Tea, coffee and alcohol can increase heart rate and blood pressure and further increase stress on the heart.
- Protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, wraparound sunglasses, and lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Also, apply plenty of broad-spectrum or UVA/UVB protection sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin 30 minutes before going out.
Conclusion
Excessive temperatures can pose a risk to your heart and can cause other health issues as well. It is crucial that you take extreme care of your health and body during summers, especially if you live in a heat-wave prone region. It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider if you experience any heart-related symptoms.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult your doctor if you have any heart-related problem.)