Due to high temperatures, the load on the heart and blood vessels also increases. Changing blood pressure depending on the air temperatures can trigger the risk of heart attack. Especially in very hot weather, suddenly moving to extremely cold environments to cool off can also create a shock effect on the heart vessels, leading to the risk of crisis. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the heat balance in hot weather where cooling is needed.
Extremely hot or risky cold…
Extreme temperatures, along with sudden increases or decreases in blood pressure levels, can lead to a risk of heart attack. Hot air also has the effect of increasing the load on the heart, and therefore, uncontrolled exposure to heat poses a danger to heart health. Especially in the summer heat, air conditioners, which are needed to cool off, pose the same risk for the heart if the heat level is not controlled. Because sudden hot-cold transitions have a shock effect and the heat balance must be well established.
The degree of the air conditioner should not be below 22
Particular attention should be paid to the use of air conditioners in places with high temperatures, especially in the Mediterranean Region. Moving from a hot environment to another environment that is extremely cooled by the air conditioner is inconvenient, especially for heart patients, and can cause sudden heart problems. The high air flow from the air conditioner in the cold room increases the heart rate and may cause problems with the respiratory tract. If you are going to spend a long time in an air-conditioned environment, it is important that the ideal ambient temperature is above 22 degrees and the air flow is not felt. The air-conditioned environment should be cool, not cold.
Watch out for cold water!
One of the most important dangers waiting for heart patients in hot weather is to swim in a cold pool or sea after being under the heat for a long time. Because cold water can create a risk in terms of cardiovascular health, constricting the heart vessels and disrupting blood flow. Even if there is no apparent heart problem, healthy people can also develop heart problems if there is an underlying cause. While sunbathing and swimming in the sea, the hours when the temperature is suitable should be preferred, just like air-conditioned environments, exposure with cold water should be provided according to the heat balance.
Sun exposure should not exceed 15 minutes.
In order to protect heart health and benefit from the sun in a quality way, care should be taken for people such as sunbathing in 15-minute time periods, spending time in the shade or under an umbrella, preferring the hours when the harmful rays of the sun are not perpendicular, instead of being exposed to the sun for a long time. Although swimming is a very healthy exercise, it should be preferred in the morning or evening hours, as it will be inconvenient during times when the weather is very hot.
For your heart health in summer…
- Try not to be outdoors during the day, especially during lunch and until 15.00 in the afternoon.
- If you are going to spend your day outdoors, make sure to drink enough water.
-Avoid strenuous physical activities.
-Be careful not to be in extremely hot or cold environments, and not to make sudden heat transitions.
-Wear cotton, light-colored clothing, a hat and glasses to protect from heat and reduce fluid loss.