Heart health is at risk from extreme heat, here's what you should be careful of

The weather fluctuations seem to have ended, giving way to scorching temperatures. These temperatures are more unbearable, especially for children and the elderly.

But extreme heat is extremely dangerous, especially for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

How does heat affect the body?

Body temperature should be neither too hot nor too cold. According to data, if the temperature rises significantly, the proteins that protect the body and are responsible for every process in it stop functioning.

The human body copes with high heat in two ways that stress the heart.

Radiation

Heat in the body moves from warmer areas to cooler ones. As long as the surrounding air is cooler than the body, the body radiates heat into the air.

This radiation stops when the air temperature approaches that of the body. Radiation is a process that requires a more centralized blood circulation, especially in the skin area.

This makes the heart beat faster and pump more blood.

On a hot day, the heart circulates two to four times more blood per minute than on a cool day.

evaporation

Every sweat molecule that evaporates from the skin carries excess heat with it. On a day without humidity, the evaporation of sweat (an amount equivalent to a teaspoon) significantly cools the entire blood.

But when humidity rises above 75%, sweat evaporation becomes extremely difficult.

Sweat evaporation increases pressure on the cardiovascular system.

According to data, sweat removes more heat from the body, along with many minerals beneficial to nerves, muscles, and fluid balance.

This forces the body to release more hormones which help the body retain more water and minimize mineral loss.

Heart health and coping with the heat

Healthy people tend to have a higher tolerance to temperature changes. People with heart problems have a more stressed body and are therefore more affected by the heat.

The heart of people who have had a heart attack has a harder time pumping enough blood to cope with the heat.

Clogged blood vessels due to cholesterol have poor blood circulation to the skin. Ischemia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Diabetes and others negatively affect the brain's response to dehydration.

Thus, the brain fails to send thirst signals and the body suffers the consequences.

How to fight the heat

Experts recommend that people who exercise do so early in the morning or late in the evening. During peak heat, make sure to stay in an air-conditioned environment, take a bath, or apply cold compresses to your armpits.

It is advisable to make sure to drink water every hour on hot days. Do not drink carbonated, sugary, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which worsen dehydration./AgroWeb.org