Can Hot Weather Affect Your Heart?

Why You Should Be Careful When Temperatures Rise if You Have a Heart Condition

High temperatures and humidity may make you feel sweaty, clammy and downright uncomfortable. For most people, this is just a minor annoyance for enjoying outdoor activities when the weather is warm. But if you have a heart condition, it may be harder for you to handle the heat or to cool down when temperatures rise.

If you can’t keep your body cool, it increases your risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Although anyone can experience these serious health issues, people with heart disease are at greater risk. That’s because your heart plays a big role in helping your body keep cool.

When temperatures rise, your heart has to work harder. If your heart isn’t functioning optimally, it puts a strain on your cardiovascular system and makes it harder to stay cool.

Can heart medications affect how your body responds to the heat?

Medications such as beta blockers, ace receptor inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics may make your body more sensitive to heat. Some lower your hydration level or slow your heart rate, which reduces how quickly your heart can circulate blood.

If you take these medications, have a heart condition, are overweight or are over age 50, you may need to take special precautions when temperatures soar.

If you feel dizzy when it’s hot, is it caused by your heart?

Your heart has to increase the amount of blood flowing to your skin when it’s hot to keep your body cooler. This may reduce blood flow to the brain. You also lose sodium and potassium in addition to water when you sweat. This combination may lower your blood pressure quickly, which can cause dizziness.

If you feel dizzy or faint, rest in a cool place with your legs up and drink non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages like water or fruit juice.

What are the signs of heat exhaustion?

People with heart disease are more at risk for heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include:

Heavy sweating
Cold and clammy skin
Dizziness
Fast but weak pulse
Weakness
Headaches
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Dark urine

If you notice any of these symptoms, stop what you’re doing and move to a cooler place and rest. Drink water or other non-caffeinated fluids. Use cool compresses to cool down your body or take a cool shower or bath.

• Posted August 18, 2021 by Temple Heart & Vascular Institute