Living in Arizona, you’re certainly no stranger to hot, sunny days. But did you ever stop and think about how heat impacts your heart? Victor Sein, DO, cardiologist and independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff, sheds light on how hot weather impacts your heart, ways you can stay safe and when to seek care.
How heat impacts your heart
When it’s hot outside, your body works harder to stay cool. This puts extra strain on your heart, causing your heart rate to go up and your blood vessels to expand.
“If you’re exposed to the heat for extended periods of time and don’t take adequate precautions, this combination can be problematic for your heart, because it could lead to a decrease in blood pressure, also known as hypotension,” explains Dr. Sein. “This can reduce oxygen to the body, which can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy, and if the symptoms persist, it could cause damage to your heart.”
With an increased heart rate and warmer temperatures, your body also responds by sweating more. You may experience shortness of breath more easily and get tired quicker. Heat impacts everyone’s heart health a little differently. While older adults are more likely to have difficulty regulating their body temperature in the heat, anyone can experience heat-related illnesses.
If you have a pre-existing heart condition or are taking medications
“Every condition is unique, and various factors can impact how your heart reacts to a rise in temperatures, this includes pre-existing conditions, family history and medications,” explains Dr. Sein. “For example, if a patient has heart failure, they may be restricting their fluid intake. When creating a unique treatment plan for my patients, it’s important for me to take all factors into consideration to help them prepare for hot weather.”
How to stay safe
“The most important thing you can do is stay properly hydrated – both indoors and outdoors – and you should increase your water intake with activity and exercise,” shares Dr. Sein. “The reason hydration is so important is because you are losing fluid every time you breathe and off the surface of your skin when you sweat. Aim to drink eight glasses of water a day, but that could fluctuate based on your activity level and other factors, including how much time you spend outside.”
In addition to managing your water intake, taking precautions in the heat can help you stay safe. Dr. Sein offers these tips:
- Avoid activity outside during the peak heat times – between noon and 4 p.m. Ideally, spend time outside first thing in the morning or after the sun sets. You should also avoid high intensity activity, including strenuous hikes, in any kind of hot weather.
- Maintain an adequate electrolyte and salt intake. Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of vitamins and minerals.
- Use sun protection when outside – including a hat and sunscreen. You can also benefit from wearing light-weight long sleeve shirts and pants to help slow sweat evaporation off your skin. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
- Acclimate to warmer temperatures if you want to exercise outside. Over several weeks, work to build up your activity time and heat tolerance. It’s important to know that you can de-acclimate quickly. Even if you stop for a week, you’ll need to slowly build back up to your previous activity level.
- Monitor your alcohol intake – especially when participating in outdoor activities like boating or golfing, as alcohol is a diuretic which means you will deplete your water levels quicker. Drink an extra glass of water for each alcoholic beverage you consume.
“For both patients with heart issues and those who are otherwise healthy, if you are fatigued, dizzy, lightheaded, have unusually labored breath or are experiencing tightness in your chest, stop the activity immediately and move to a shaded spot or indoors,” states Dr. Sein. “If the issues persist, you should go to your primary care provider or cardiologist to get evaluated.”
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