Summer season is starting to make itself felt better. While hot and humid weather affects everyone negatively, it can be especially dangerous for those with heart disease.
So what should heart patients pay attention to as they enter the summer? The most important of the body's temperature regulation systems is the skin's blood circulation. Hot and humid weather forces this system to work. With sweating, there is an increase in the blood flow pumped to the skin to cool the body, which puts an extra load on the heart. While the heart can handle this increase in load without any problems in healthy individuals, it can cause serious health problems in those with cardiovascular disease.
For this reason, the number of people who have a heart attack or die due to cardiovascular disease increases on hot and humid days. In patients with heart failure, increased blood flow to the skin and fluid loss in hot weather can lower blood pressure enough to cause dizziness and fainting. This situation may lead to deterioration in kidney functions if sufficient fluid is not taken.
CAUTION ATTENTION TO MEDICATION
Those with cardiovascular disease usually use more than one medication, and these drugs It may affect the thermoregulation mechanism. Medications interfere with thermoregulation. Beta blockers slow the heart rate, reducing the rate of blood circulation for effective heat exchange. Diuretics (diuretics) further increase water loss by triggering urine output. Some antidepressants (depression medications) and antihistamines (allergy medications) can affect sweating. For this reason, it is important to adjust the doses of medications used continuously at the beginning of the summer season and to inform them about possible side effects that may develop.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT HEART HEALTH DURING HOT SEAMS
We have some advice for you in our article on what heart patients should pay attention to when entering the summer
-
Especially between the hours between 11.00 and 15.00, when the sun's rays are vertical. Avoid being outside as much as possible.
-
In hot weather, light-coloured, comfortable and loose-fitting, sweat-absorbing clothes should be preferred.
-
Summer During the months of 2020, the daily fluid need increases to 2-3 liters. ir. In summer, care should be taken to consume 2-2.5 liters of water a day.
-
Instead of consuming heavy and fatty meals, eat small and frequent meals. Light foods with high fiber content should be preferred.
-
Vegetables and fruits with high water content should be consumed.
-
Alcoholic or caffeinated drinks should not be consumed. Alcohol may prevent the negative effects of heat from being felt, and caffeinated drinks may cause you to lose more fluid.
-
Heavy exercises should not be done in hot weather. Light and moderate exercises can be done in the evening. It is also very important to consume water during sports.
-
Fatal rhythm disorders can be triggered as a result of being outdoors for a long time in hot weather and then suddenly jumping into cold water (pool, sea, etc.). For this reason, instead of jumping into the water all at once, it is necessary to get into the water gradually.
-
It should not be forgotten that water loss will cause the blood to clot more quickly. . Patients using blood thinners should be more careful.
-
Symptoms such as headache, cold sweats, extreme fatigue, palpitations, need for frequent breathing, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting may occur. When encountered, the nearest health center should be reached.
-
It would be appropriate to consult your doctor and arrange your heart medications according to the summer season.
Read: 0
