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Heart Experts Have Tips on Staying Safe in the Summer Heat

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 5, 2024.

By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, July 5, 2024 -- As Americans brace themselves for another summer of brutal heat and humidity, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns that heart patients need to take extra precautions to protect themselves.

According to the U.S. Centers from Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,200 people die in this country each year as a direct cause of extreme heat.

“Heat-related deaths and illnesses are mostly preventable if proper safety measures are taken,” AHA President Dr. Joseph Wu said in an AHA news release. “Precautions are especially important for infants and older adults and people with high blood pressure, obesity or a history of heart disease or stroke. While some people are more vulnerable to problems from heat, extreme temperatures can cause health issues for anyone.”

And heart patients may be more vulnerable than most: A study published recently in the AHA journal Circulation predicts that cardiovascular disease deaths related to extreme heat may more than double over the next two decades.

So, what should folks do as temperatures soar?

Wu suggested that everyone follows these hot weather precautions:

If those precautions don't work, it’s important to know when you may be experiencing too much heat.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

If you experience these symptoms, move to a cooler place, stop exercising, douse yourself with cold water and re-hydrate. You may need to seek medical attention.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency: Call 9-1-1 and get medical attention right away if you have these symptoms:

While being heart-smart in the heat, it’s still important to find ways to stay active during the summer.

Adjusting your exercise time to early morning or later in the evening can help. And if being outside is just too much on some days, head to a shopping mall, gym or community recreation center for a workout.

Sources

  • American Heart Association, news release, June 20, 2024

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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