The summer months come with many things. Warmer weather, beautiful flowers, longer days full of trips to the beach, and parties and barbecues. Warmer weather also brings extreme heat and added risk factors that can affect heart health.
As the body works harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, a strain is placed on our organs, especially the heart. This can have hazardous effects on people with pre-existing cardiovascular problems and people with a healthy heart as well.
Being in extreme heat for too long can cause two serious heat-related illnesses in which your body can’t control its temperature: heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include:
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness
- Dizziness and fainting
Here are some ways to prevent heat exhaustion: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, use cold compresses, and sip cool (not cold) water.
Heatstroke or sunstroke symptoms include:
- Fever of 104 degrees or more
- Severe headache
- Behavioral changes
- Confusion
- Hot, red skin
- No sweating
- Rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness
Here are ways to prevent heatstroke: Quickly move the individual to a cooler place, use cold compresses, and do not give them anything to drink.
People at risk of being severely affected by extreme heat are those with a history of:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Diabetes
There are many ways to take preventative measures to ensure you stay safe in warmer and sometimes extreme temperatures.
You can do this by:
- Knowing the heat illness warning signs.
- Seeing your doctor to know if you’re at risk of having heat-related heart problems.
- Avoiding spending too much time outdoors during the hottest days of the summer
- Applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, especially during peak sun.
- Wearing loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
- Staying cool in areas where there is air-conditioning or a fan. If either isn’t accessible, apply cold compresses (ice-pack or ice-water-filled bottle to your pulse points.
- Hydrating by drinking plenty of water to help regulate your body temperature, and avoiding drinking too many alcoholic drinks because they can dehydrate you.
- Eating water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, salads, and cold soups.
- Being smart about exercising. If it is too hot to work outside, do it indoors.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.