“With the increase of air temperatures, the risk of heart diseases also increases, and accordingly, there is an increase in heart attack cases in the summer months. This situation is thought to be due to the increase in blood clotting rate together with fluid loss." saying that the Head of the Cardiology Department of Near East University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu, also stated that for this reason, healthy people should pay attention to fluid intake even during the summer months.
Who is in the risk group for heart health in Summer?
Noting that people with high blood pressure, heart failure, and congestion in their heart vessels are in the risk group for heart health during the summer months, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu suggested that people with a history of previous bypasses or stenting of their heart vessels should also be especially careful, as heart rate may increase due to fluid and salt losses caused by sweating caused by excessive heat and humidity.
Heart attack risk increases in those who do not consume enough water in Summer...
Referring to the effects of hot weather on patients suffering from heart problems, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu noted that extremely hot and humid weather creates an increased risk especially for cardiovascular patients, hypertension, and patients with heart failure. He stated that the most effective measure taken against heat by the body is sweating, the loss of salts and minerals as well as the fluids and electrolytes along with sweating, and the decrease in the blood volume circulating in the vessels may lead to a decrease in the blood volume that goes to the kidneys and thus to deterioration in kidney functions.
Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu continued his statements on the subject as follows; “The decrease in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which are excreted from the body with sweating, can be the trigger of palpitations and life-threatening rhythm disorders, especially in heart patients. Patients with hypertension or heart failure, who use diuretic drugs, should pay attention to sufficient fluid intake. Otherwise, complaints such as weakness, fatigue and deterioration in kidney functions may occur. It may be necessary to rearrange the drug doses in consultation with the doctors of people with such complaints. In addition, in patients using calcium channel blocker blood pressure medication, ankle and leg swelling is more common cases in summer as a side effect of the medication.
Precautions that can be taken to protect heart health during Summer
Stating that there are precautions that even the healthy people should take to protect their heart health, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu listed the measures that can be taken as follows;
- Choose clothes made of light-colored fabrics that do not increase perspiration.
- Feeding should be in accordance with the Mediterranean diet where fruit and vegetable consumption is at the forefront.
- Considering the increase in daily fluid need, around 2-2.5 liters of fluid should be consumed daily.
- Considering that uncontrolled soda and mineral water consumption can increase blood pressure and increase heart failure complaints, excessive consumption should be avoided.
- You should not go out when the sun's rays are steep, and you should go to the sea in the morning and evening on an empty stomach.
- Exercises should be done in the morning and evening.
- Avoid swimming in very cold seas, pools and taking cold showers, as very cold water can disrupt blood flow by spasm in the veins.
- When there are complaints such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting, the nearest health institution should be consulted.
Heart patients pay attention to these in hot Summer days!
With the increase of air temperatures, Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu, who also advised people with a history of cardiovascular disease to protect heart health, suggested that the patients should spend time in cool places as much as possible, avoid intense alcohol and caffeine consumption, and if complaints such as chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations started, they should immediately apply to a health institution. Referring to the importance of blood pressure, Prof. Dr. Duygu strongly recommended that patients must have frequent blood pressure monitoring and re-arrange the drug doses by referring to their doctors in case of irregularity in blood pressure values. Prof. Dr. Hamza Duygu also reminded that sufficient amount of daily fluid consumption should be paid attention and diuretic medication doses should be rearranged with the doctor's recommendation if necessary.