PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 27: Not just winters, summer heat too can raise the risk of heart attack, especially if someone has an already existing heart condition, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Research published in the European Heart Journal looked at around 27,000 heart attack patients between 1987 and 2014 and found that between 2001 and 2014, when the average temperatures were higher than usual, the number of heart attacks went up.
Also, in extreme heat conditions, there is extra stress on the heart to pump more blood to normalize body temperature, which could also affect heart health and raise the risk of summer heart attacks.
In an interview with lagatar24.com, Dr Rohit Kumar, Consultant Intervention Cardiologist at MEDICA shared, “With many areas of the country facing summer heat, people need to take extra care to protect their hearts. Precautions are on high priority, especially for older adults and individuals with high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of heart disease and stroke. In the hot season, the body tries to cool itself by transferring blood from major organs to under the skin. This change makes the heart pump more blood, putting it under extreme stress.”
Dr Rohit further said that due to the lifestyle modifications of people in the past 20 years, cases of heart attack have also been seen in young, aged people. Earlier, it was only seen in the elderly, but due to the negative effects of pollution, stress, and poor eating habits such as junk food consumption, it is now being seen in people between the age group of 30 and 40.
Talking about the symptoms of heart attack Dr Rohit said that the most common and well-known symptom of a heart attack, in both men and women is the sudden onset of a crushing type of chest pain. Other common symptoms are breathlessness, pain in the back, jaw, or arms, and perspiration. Some uncommon symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest or stomach, vomiting, fainting, palpitations, a sense of impending doom, stuttering, or waxing and waning kinds of symptoms over a few days.
“Dehydration causes strain on your heart, putting it at risk. Hydration helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And it helps the muscles work effectively,” adds Dr Rohit.
Signs of heat exhaustion:
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling dizziness or fainting
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea, vomiting or both
“If you experience these symptoms, immediately go to a cooler place, stop exercising, and cool down immediately by showering with cold water and rehydrating. You may need to seek medical attention, “says the cardiologist.
Signs when you need urgent medical attention:
- Crushing type of chest pain for more than 5 minutes
- Numbness in the left hand
- Warm, dry skin without sweating
- Experience confusion and/or unconsciousness
“If you experience these signs, immediately seek medical attention from your doctors,” added Dr Rohit.
Dr Rohit shared a few tips to keep the heart healthy in hot weather:
- Keep yourself hydrated; drink plenty of water before, during and after to compensate for the fluid loss in your body. Remember to drink before you feel thirsty and avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
- Stay indoors in the early afternoon (about noon to 3 p.m.) because the sun is often at its strongest, putting you at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.
- It is advisable to wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton, or a newer fabric that fights off sweat.
- Don’t forget to take regular breaks. You can find some shade or a cool place, stop for a few minutes, hydrate and start again
- Keep taking all medications as prescribed by the expert.
