While summer may be our favorite season of the year, it is important to remember that our bodies are working harder to keep cool. Summer can be an especially dangerous time for those with heart conditions as heat puts extra stress on the cardiovascular system. Making sure to stay properly hydrated and appropriately dressed is crucial to staying healthy and comfortable.
As the adage goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. The first step to ensuring that you have a healthy and safe summer is knowing whether your heart is healthy. Make an appointment for your yearly checkup with the cardiologist today by calling North Suffolk Cardiology at (631) 941-2000.
Although heat can be especially dangerous to those with heart conditions, everyone enjoying summer activities should still take precautions. Not staying aware of your body’s limitations can put you at risk for health and even life-threatening conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion: What it is and the Symptoms
It is a condition and a warning sign that the body is getting too hot. It is a response to an excess loss of water and salt through sweating. Signs of heat exhaustion include clammy skin, nausea, faintness, dizziness, heavy sweating, pale skin, and fatigue.
If symptoms of heat exhaustion are experienced, it’s time to stop what you’re doing, rest in a cool, shaded area and hydrate. Should your condition not improve within one hour, seek medical attention.
Heat Stroke: What it is and the Symptoms
When it’s not tended to properly, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. It’s a dangerous health condition that requires immediate medical attention. It can have severe or fatal consequences such as heart, kidney, liver, lung and brain failure when the body’s core temperature rises above 104 F. Other telling symptoms include hot and dry skin, an altered mental state that can include disorientation and delusions, nausea and a weak, rapid pulse. If you or a person you see is exhibiting these symptoms, immediately call 911 and seek cool shade and hydration while waiting for them to arrive.
Preventive Measures to Take this Summer:
● Avoid strenuous activity in extreme heat: When it’s hotter than usual outside, take your physical activity indoors. It’s not worth risking your health.
● Drink up! Avoid dehydrating drinks like soda or coffee and choose water or electrolyte replenishing drinks like Gatorade.
● Dress for the summer: Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Overdressing can put you at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Take advantage of the summer and pull out the short-sleeve shirts you’ve been wanting to wear instead.
● Apply sunscreen: As always, put on your sunscreen and reapply often. Using a water-based moisturizer at night can also help your skin rehydrate faster.
We want you to enjoy summer for many years to come and doing your part is important to leading a life that allows you to do so.
If you’re experiencing a heat stroke or heat exhaustion call 911 immediately.
Do you have a heart condition? Get your heart checked by our experienced and caring physicians by booking an appointment today with North Suffolk Cardiology, call (631) 941-2000.