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SearchA cardiologist explains how the hot weather can take a toll on our hearts, and safety measures to follow when temperatures soar.
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CLEVELAND - With summer here, many of us are getting outside more to enjoy the sunshine.
But as temperatures soar, it’s important to remember how extreme heat can take a toll on our hearts.
“People exposed to the heat or humidity tend to experience dehydration, and dehydration leads to an increased heart rate – meaning your heart beats faster than usual. This can increase inflammation in the body,” explained Carlos Gonzalez Lengua, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Dr. Gonzalez said the inflammation from your body working harder to cool you down can possibly cause blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
And while extreme heat can impact everyone’s heart, older people and those with preexisting heart issues are especially at risk.
It’s also important to remember that certain blood pressure medicines as well as other medications can increase your risk of dehydration.
To avoid issues during a heatwave, Dr. Gonzalez said it’s best to check the weather and try to stay inside at the hottest points of the day.
If you do go outside, you want to avoid doing any strenuous activities and think about going to places where you can stay cool.
“If you really want to get out of the house, maybe go to the mall, a grocery store or local pool. Make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated as well,” Dr. Gonzalez said.
If you start feeling fatigued on a hot day, Dr. Gonzalez stressed it’s crucial to promptly find a way to cool down and drink plenty of water.
Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you start experiencing symptoms such as chest pain.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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