Excessive heat can be dangerous in many ways, but it’s especially dangerous for a certain group of people.
If it’s hot outside, the body will respond in order to cool itself. It’s a natural process — one in which the heart plays a large and crucial role.
On those hot days, though, the body’s response can put significant strain on the heart. And the hotter it gets, the more strain that can be placed on the heart — for every degree raised in the body’s internal temperature, the heart rate can increase 10 beats per minute.
And if the heart is already in a weaken or compromised state, that additional strain can lead to other potential serious complications affecting one’s overall health.
A cooling heart
There are two aspects to cooling the body in which the heart is considered.
The first is that more blood is pumped to the skin to help it cool, causing the heart to pump faster and harder.
The other is that the sweat cooling the body pulls sodium, potassium, and other minerals from the body. These elements and minerals are important to muscles’ — like the heart — ability to contract (or in the heart’s case, pump) and for nerve transmission.
While most people can tolerate the added strain, others should exercise caution, especially those:
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Recovering from a heart attack, or have previously suffered a stroke
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Have been diagnosed with heart disease
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Have narrowed arteries
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Taking certain medications (talk to your doctor)
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Diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or diabetes
Be cool
Signs of heat illness include:
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Excessive thirst
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Weakness
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Headache
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Loss of consciousness
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Nausea and vomiting
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Muscle cramp
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Dizziness
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Confusion
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Rapid heart rate
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Fatigue
Once signs of heat illness begin to appear, get out of the sun and heat, and find a cool place.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 if someone begins to show symptoms.
- Body temperature of 103 degrees or greater
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Strong, quick pulse
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Headache
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Dizziness/Nausea
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Confusion
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Loss of consciousness
When the temps are high, take simple preventive measures to avoid heat illness.
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Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water steadily, don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
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Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which cause us to lose water more rapidly.
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Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors in an air-conditioned space. Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling device during an extreme heat event.
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Wear loose fitting, lightly colored and lightweight clothes.
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Minimize use of heat-generating appliances like stoves or ovens.
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Do not exercise outdoors. If you must exercise outdoors, only exercise in the early morning hours, before 8 a.m.
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Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
Emergency care at McLaren
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. Find your nearest McLaren emergency and trauma center.
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Cardiology at McLaren
Learn more about the leading-edge cardiology capabilities available at McLaren Health Care.
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