With the month of August, the air temperatures continue to rise. The rise in temperatures poses new risks for many patient groups. Heart patients stand out as one of the patient groups most negatively affected by hot weather. Near East University Hospital Cardiology Department specialist Dr. Aziz Günsel warned about the risks that heart patients may face due to the increase in air temperature.
Emphasizing that the loss of water and salt due to sweating with the increase in temperatures causes an increase in heart rate, Dr. Aziz Günsel said that this situation increases the workload of the heart. Dr. Günsel stated that for this reason, patients with high blood pressure, heart failure, occlusion of the heart vessels, stent or bypass history should be especially careful in hot weather.
“Pay attention to nutrition”
Dr. Aziz Günsel also made statements about the precautions that heart patients can take in hot weather. Stating that nutrition and the diet to be applied in the summer months become much more important, Dr. Günsel said, “In summer, heart patients should buy vegetables-based, pulpy, boiled or grilled foods instead of fatty, fried foods that are heavy and difficult to digest. It will be beneficial to have frequent meals and small amounts of food taken.
“Plan the day right”
Dr. One of the issues Günsel draws attention to is the good timing of daily activities. “It is necessary not to go out during the day when the sun’s rays are reflected vertically, not to swim, to avoid activities that require excessive effort during these hours, and not to drink alcohol during hot hours,” said Dr. Günsel said, “Swimming on a full stomach can be dangerous for heart patients.” Early morning and cool evening hours are the right time for effortful activities. “It will be beneficial for heart patients to walk or swim during these hours in a way that does not tire themselves excessively,” said Dr. Günsel also warned that “When complaints such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fainting occur, they should be checked by applying to the nearest health center.”
“Medicine use should be planned according to the summer under the supervision of a doctor”
Stating that the drug doses of heart patients using regular medication can be rearranged under the supervision of a doctor, taking into account the changes in the air temperature and the body, Dr. Aziz Günsel emphasized that patients who use diuretic drugs should be especially careful. “Exposure to excessive fluid loss, weakness, fatigue or rhythm disturbances may occur in patients with heart failure or high blood pressure who use diuretic drugs,” said Dr. Aziz Günsel recommends re-arranging the drug doses of patients using this type of drug under the doctor’s follow-up.
