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Great heat for heart patients and seniors a considerable risk
The warm weather is pleasing to many people, but the high temperatures can be a health risk for some. This applies, for example, to cardiac patients. The German Heart Foundation has therefore put together in a recent release important "Hitzetipps for heart and elderly people".
The summer heat with temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius may present a risk especially for older people and those who are already being treated for heart or blood pressure problems. The German Heart Foundation mentions in this context "possible tiredness and high temperatures" Dizziness and hypotension to the circulatory collapse, in addition cardiac arrhythmia or muscle spasms. "Therefore, people at risk should take urgent precautions.
The current temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are a burden not to be underestimated for the elderly and heart patients. Sufficient hydration is urgently to be considered here. The German Heart Foundation also gives other important tips on how to minimize the health risk. (Image: Mikkel Bigandt / fotolia.com) Discuss precautionary measures with the doctor
To prevent the complications of high temperatures, the heart specialist Professor dr. med. Markus Haass from the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation to discuss with the attending physician special precautions. According to the expert, these may vary depending on the heart disease and treatment. For example, it may be necessary to adjust the amount of drink or change the dose of the medication.
Adjust dosage of medication
Most heart patients need to take medications that may require a change in dosage due to excessive heat. This applies, for example, in the antihypertensive drugs for hypertensive patients (ACE inhibitors, Sartane, calcium antagonists) and diuretics (dehydrators) for patients with heart failure, according to the release of the German Heart Foundation. According to Professor Haas, heart patients should have their doctor regularly check the dosage of the medication and discuss which remedies can be reduced for how long in the heat.
Exposure to the regulation of body temperature
Another problem arises, according to the experts from the regulation of body temperature at very high outside temperatures. As mammals, we are so-called "warm-blooded creatures" who must maintain a constant body temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius, no matter how cold or hot the environment is. When the heat is high, the body heats up too much, so that the heat must be released again, which can be done in two ways: On the one hand, heat is released directly through the skin and on the other hand by increased sweating, explains the German Heart Foundation.
Cooling via the heat release of the skin
For heat transfer through the skin, the blood absorbs the excess heat from the body and transports it to the small skin vessels, which work like "cooling coils" and dissipate the heat to the air, the experts explain. The higher the area of the uncovered skin, the cooler and drier the air passing through, and above all the more blood is pumped from the heart through the skin vessels. "This extra burden can easily cope with a healthy heart, however A sick heart can reach the limit of its capacity faster, reports the Heart Foundation.
Note summer clothes
According to Professor dr. med. Dietrich Andresen from the board of the German Heart Foundation, should "older people and especially patients with heart failure therefore avoid the greatest possible heat, take physical care and especially careful to dress in summer." The cooling works best with less clothing such as T-shirt , shorts or summer dress and by avoiding direct sunlight. Even wearing a headgear could help here.
Sagging of blood pressure in case of dehydration
The heat release during sweating is associated with an increased loss of fluid and electrolytes (salts: sodium, potassium, magnesium). To compensate for this loss of fluid and salt is therefore in very hot weather by one to two liters of increased daily intake is particularly important, so the experts of the German Heart Foundation. However, in elderly or cardiac patients, "the feeling of thirst is often not properly intact, so that they do not drink enough and the fluid loss is not compensated," warns Prof. Andresen. If in such a situation additionally water-drifting medicaments (diuretics) are taken, the blood volume in the vessels goes back too far, the blood pressure sinks and it could come up especially with getting up from lying or seated position to a circulatory collapse with short-term unconsciousness, so the warning of heart specialist.
Too much fluid intake can burden the heart
Because in cardiac patients often the sweated salts are not adequately compensated, the German Heart Foundation also frequently reports further complaints such as headache, general fatigue, but also muscle cramps and sometimes cardiac arrhythmias. In particular, the elderly and patients with cardiac insufficiency must be encouraged on hot days to drink enough (in addition, one to two liters per day), according to the statement of the Foundation. However, care should be taken that they do not drink too much, as an excessive fluid intake in patients with cardiac diseases can lead to a deterioration in their cardiac output, warns Prof. Andresen. The expert therefore advises cardiac patients to adjust their drinking volume as well as taking medication with their doctor. Daily weighing could also help to determine the necessary amount of drinking. (Fp)