Heart experts have tips on staying safe in the summer heat

As Individuals brace themselves for an additional summer season of brutal warmth and humidity, the American Coronary heart Affiliation (AHA) warns that coronary heart sufferers must take additional precautions to guard themselves.

In accordance with the U.S. Facilities from Illness Management and Prevention, greater than 1,200 individuals die on this nation annually as a direct trigger of maximum warmth.

“Warmth-related deaths and sicknesses are largely preventable if correct security measures are taken,” AHA President Dr. Joseph Wu stated in an AHA information launch. “Precautions are particularly necessary for infants and older adults and other people with hypertension, weight problems or a historical past of coronary heart illness or stroke. Whereas some individuals are extra weak to issues from warmth, excessive temperatures may cause well being points for anybody.”

And coronary heart sufferers could also be extra weak than most: A research revealed not too long ago within the AHA journal Circulation predicts that heart problems deaths associated to excessive warmth might greater than double over the following twenty years.

So, what ought to of us do as temperatures soar?

Wu urged that everybody follows these scorching climate precautions:

Watch the clock: Keep away from the outside within the early afternoon, as a result of the solar is often at its strongest, placing you at larger threat for heat-related sicknesses
Costume for warmth: Put on light-weight, light-colored clothes in breathable materials, resembling cotton or a more moderen material that repels sweat. Add a hat and sun shades. Earlier than you get began, apply a water resistant sunscreen with not less than SPF 15, and reapply it each two hours
Drink up: Keep hydrated by consuming a number of cups of water earlier than, throughout and after going outdoors or exercising. Keep away from caffeinated or alcoholic drinks
Take common breaks: Discover some shade or a cool place, cease for a couple of minutes, hydrate and begin once more

If these precautions do not work, it is necessary to know when it’s possible you’ll be experiencing an excessive amount of warmth.

Signs of warmth exhaustion:

Complications
Cool, pale and moist pores and skin
Quick, weak pulse
Dizziness and light-headedness
Weak spot or muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Passing out

For those who expertise these signs, transfer to a cooler place, cease exercising, douse your self with chilly water and re-hydrate. Chances are you’ll want to hunt medical consideration.

Warmth stroke is a medical emergency: Name 9-1-1 and get medical consideration instantly when you have these signs:

Excessive physique temperature (103 levels Fahrenheit or larger)
Sizzling, purple, dry or damp pores and skin
Quick, robust pulse
Headache, dizziness and confusion
Nausea
Passing out

Whereas being heart-smart within the warmth, it is nonetheless necessary to search out methods to remain lively throughout the summer season.

Adjusting your train time to early morning or later within the night can assist. And if being outdoors is simply an excessive amount of on some days, head to a shopping center, health club or group recreation heart for a exercise.

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