Rising air temperatures in the summer months pose new risks for heart patients. Near East University Hospital Cardiology Department physician Dr. Aziz Günsel emphasizes that heart patients should pay attention to nutrition, daily activity planning and drug doses during this period.
As the summer months come, the air temperatures continue to rise. The rise in temperatures poses new risks for many patient groups. Heart patients stand out as one of the patient groups most negatively affected by hot weather. Near East University Hospital Cardiology Department specialist Dr. Aziz Günsel warned about the risks that heart patients may face due to the increase in air temperature.
Emphasizing that the loss of water and salt due to sweating with the increase in temperatures causes an increase in heart rate, Dr. Aziz Günsel said that this situation increases the workload of the heart. Dr. Günsel stated that for this reason, patients with high blood pressure, heart failure, occlusion in the heart vessels or stents or a history of bypass should be especially careful in hot weather.
Attention to Nutrition
Dr. Aziz Günsel also made statements about the precautions that heart patients can take in hot weather. Stating that nutrition and the diet to be applied in the summer months become much more important, Dr. Günsel said, “In summer, heart patients should consume vegetables-based, pulpy, boiled or grilled foods instead of fatty, fried foods that are difficult to digest. It will be beneficial to have frequent meals and small amounts of food taken.”
Plan the day right
One of the issues Dr. Günsel draws attention to is the good timing of daily activities. “Do not go out during the day when the sun’s rays are reflected vertically, do not swim, avoid activities that require excessive effort during these hours, and do not drink alcohol during hot hours,”. Dr. Günsel also said, “Swimming on a full stomach can be dangerous for heart patients. Early morning and cool evening hours are the right time for effortful activities. It will be beneficial for heart patients to walk or swim during these hours in a way that does not tire themselves excessively. When complaints such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fainting occur, these should be checked by applying to the nearest health center.”
Stating that the drug doses of heart patients using regular medication can be rearranged under the supervision of a doctor, taking into account the changes in the air temperature and the body, Dr. Aziz Günsel emphasized that patients using diuretic drugs should be especially careful. “Due to exposure to excessive fluid loss, weakness, fatigue or rhythm disturbances may occur in patients with heart failure or high blood pressure who use diuretic drugs,” said Dr. Aziz Günsel, and recommended re-arranging the drug doses of patients using this type of drug under the doctor’s follow-up.