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Guard your heart from excessive summer heat
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The scorching summer heat wave sweeping across much of the country affects us in many ways. But exercising, working or even spending time outside in the excessive summer heat and humidity is particularly stressful on the heart. As your body tries to cool off by sweating, you lose fluid. When you lose too much fluid, your body temperature rises and this can impact the function of your nervous system. In addition, too much sweating leads to decreased blood volume and dilated blood vessels. As a result, your heart rate increases as the heart has to pump harder to deliver the smaller volume of blood throughout your entire body. Blood pressure also decreases. .jpg)
Increased heart rate and lower blood pressure from excessive heat can cause problems for many people. For example, individuals with heart disease may not be able to pump enough blood to keep the body cool, and as a result body temperatures may rise to dangerous levels. Even healthy people can be susceptible to the effects of excessive heat on their hearts and health. Outside activities in very hot weather can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially in those not adapted to the heat. So if you plan to spend time or exercise outside in excessive heat, make sure to take the following precautions:
• Stay hydrated while avoiding caffeine and alcohol
• Limit your time outside to the early morning or late evening, if possible
• Wear very light, comfortable clothing
• Carry a cell phone and call for help immediately if stranded in the heat
• Recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, cold clammy skin, muscle cramps, nausea and/or vomiting) and heat stroke (warm dry skin with no sweating, high fever, throbbing headache). If any symptoms appear, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water. Remember that heat exhaustion can proceed quickly to heat stroke, which is very dangerous.
It’s important to understand the risks that excessive heat can pose to your heart’s health, and to take the appropriate precautions to significantly reduce chances of suffering from heat-related illness. Pay attention to your body’s warning signs while still enjoying your summer.
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