How to take care of the heart during summer season

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across all nations. The death count due to CVD has increased to 19.8 million in 2022 from 12.4 million in 1990. Not just family history, diabetes, high BP and cholesterol, lifestyle, aging, gender or smoking are causal factors, but exposure to increasing temperatures can also place a significant burden on your heart health.The higher is the temperature, the greater is the threat. As per Environmental Protection Agency, an independent agency of the US government, high heat-related cardiovascular disease is responsible for a quarter of heat-related deaths.
High heat puts a lot of stress on the cardiovascular system. It is because high humidity and high temperature cause increased blood flow due to which the heart pumps twice the amount of blood as compared to a normal day. This increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure and heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). In summers, blood circulation per minute doubles or quadruples as compared to the circulation in winters.
Heart conditions make you more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. People with heart conditions, especially those who have suffered a heart attack, may be unable to pump enough blood to help themselves get rid of the heat. Additionally, narrowed arteries due to cholesterol may hamper blood flow while other health conditions like diabetes, stroke and other memory conditions may have adverse effect on the brain’s response to dehydration. All of this increases the risk of heat-related illnesses.It is, therefore, essential for you to protect yourself in peak summers. To take care of your heart, you can follow the tips given below:
• Keep a check on weather forecasts and plan your day accordingly: Try not to step out of the house or expose yourself to direct sunlight on days when it’s too hot. If it stepping out is unavoidable, make sure you rest in shade as and when possible.
• Hydrate yourself in a gap of 20 minutes: It is essential for you to be hydrated in peak summers. Make sure you drink water even when you are not thirsty or needing a drink. In case you’re on medication or have a heart-related condition, consult your doctor about the amount of water you can intake to avoid swelling.
• Safeguard your skin: A sunburn can hamper your body from keeping cool. Ensure that you apply proper SPF, use accessories like hat and sunglasses, and wear loose clothes to aid heat regulation.

• Avoid soda, caffeinated beverages and alcohol: Soda slows the pace of water from digestive to bloodstream while caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the body. In order to avoid dehydration, it is necessary to avoid these,
While all these may help you prevent stressing your heart, it is also crucial for you to understand and identify symptoms of heat-related illnesses. In case of any emergency, immediately ask for help and consult your doctor. Being aware of the symptoms and your body’s response to heat, as well as taking precautions, can help you drastically reduce the risk of developing any kind of complication.
(Author: Dr Udgeath Dhir, Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram)