During the scorching days of summer, due to heat waves, there is always an overlooked threat to our body's most vital organ, the heart. Through this article, you will get awareness of how critical it is to understand the relationship between extreme heat and cardiovascular health and uncover ways to safeguard your heart from these intense heat waves.

Understanding Heat Waves and Their Health Impact

Heat waves are more than just hot weather; they are long periods of extremely high temperatures with high humidity that cause various health problems to individuals.

Characteristics of Heat Waves

• The temperature goes way up, often breaking records.
• Nights are unusually warm, making it hard to cool down.
• There's not much relief, even in the shade.

How Heat Affects Us

Extreme heat doesn't just make us sweat, but it can harm our health too. Here's how:

• Heat Exhaustion: When it's extremely hot, our bodies work hard to cool down, and at times, they can't keep up, making us feel dizzy, weak, and overly sweaty
• Heat Stroke: Due to heat exhaustion, our body's cooling system breaks down, leading to heat stroke, which can cause permanent disability or even death if a person does not receive immediate emergency treatment.

Heat Waves and Cardiovascular Health

Now, let's understand the connection between the heart and heat. For example, imagine your heart as a car engine that pumps blood and makes everything run smoothly. But when it gets super-hot, your heart has to work extra hard, like pushing the gas pedal to the max, but sometimes this extreme work leads to a heart attack.

Heatwaves are risky for the heart because, during a heatwave, your body first tries to cool down by sending more blood to your skin, which means your heart has to pump even more blood. Your blood vessels expand to release heat, which causes your blood pressure to decrease. And for some people, this is risky, especially if they already have heart issues.

Again, returning to the car engine's example, think, if your machine weren't in top shape, it would struggle even more when you push it hard, right? It's the same for people with heart conditions. Heat waves make their heart work extra hard, which lowers their blood pressure, which might not be safe for them.

Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion

When it's super-hot, we sweat a lot to cool down our body, and then we need to drink enough water to cover that water loss from the body. If we don't drink enough water, we can get dehydrated. Dehydration makes the heart work even harder and can lead to heat exhaustion, bringing extra toughness to your heart, especially if it's not in top shape.

Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs

Let's talk about how you can recognize when your heart might be in trouble during a heat wave. Here are a few signs of heart attack and related problems such as heart attack:

1. Chest Pain: If you feel a heavy or squeezing pain in your chest or even a feeling of pressure or tightness in the center of the chest, it's a huge sign of a heart attack.

2. Shortness of Breath: When your heart is struggling to pump blood around your body, you might find it hard to catch your breath even if you're not doing anything strenuous.

3. Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, especially when you stand up, can be a sign that your heart needs attention and is not functioning properly, as blood cannot reach your brain.

4. Feeling Weak or Nauseous: If you suddenly feel very weak or like you might throw up, it could be a symptom of a heart attack.

5. Rapid Heartbeat: Your heart might start racing, and you can feel your pulse beating fast.

Preventive Measure Of These Signs and Symptoms

• Find a cooler place to rest.
• Drink water
• Call for medical help.

Preventive Measures During Heat Waves

Let's talk about simple steps you can take to keep your heart healthy during the heat waves:

• Stay Hydrated: When it's hot, you need more water, just like a plant needs more water in the sun. So, drink plenty of water to keep your body cool and your heart healthy.
• Avoid Strenuous Activities: On super-hot days, it's best to avoid strenuous activities like running or heavy lifting.
• Find a Cooler Place: If you feel like your current presence is unbearably hot, try to find a cooler spot. It could be an air-conditioned room or even a shaded park.
• Wear Light Clothes: Wear loose, light-colored clothes that can help keep you cool. It's like giving your heart a little shade.
• Check on Others: Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they're older or have heart issues.

Heatwaves significantly increase the risk of heart attack, and during days when temperatures are high, it is recommended that you stay under the shade or at cool places and keep yourself hydrated. If you feel like having severe signs of heart attack, you should call for medical help promptly.

FAQs

Why do heat waves increase the risk of fatal heart attacks?

Heat waves strain the heart, making it work harder to cool the body down. This extra work triggers heart problems, especially in people with pre-existing heart conditions.

Who is most vulnerable to heart attacks during heat waves?

Anyone can be at risk, but people with heart issues, older adults, and those who don't have access to cooling measures like air conditioning are most vulnerable.

How can I protect myself from the increased risk of heart attacks during a heat wave?

Staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activities in extreme heat, and finding cooler environments are simple steps to protect yourself. If you have heart issues or experience symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, you should seek medical help.