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Heart Is there a cardiac arrest after jumping into cold water?
In the current summer temperatures there is nothing better than to cool off while bathing. It is always warned not to jump in cold water, otherwise there is a threat of cardiac arrest. Is that true??
Can the heart stop jumping into the cold water??
The summer temperatures are currently driving many people to the lake, the swimming pool or the sea. On hot days there is hardly a better cooling than a quick dip in the cold water. However, then caution is necessary, because the heart can stop it - at least many people believe that. Whether this is really true, is discussed in a message from the news agency dpa. The cardiologist and sports physician Susanne Berrisch-Rahmel from the Cardio-Centrum Dusseldorf explained that this assumption is not true in a healthy person. However, the jump can still be life threatening.
Cardiac arrest by cold water? Image: Syda Productions - fotolia With strong temperature differences threatens a cold shock
In midsummer, the water is usually much colder than the air. "A sudden temperature difference can cause a cold shock," explained Berrisch-Rahmel. Although the situation for the circulation is the more extreme, the greater the difference between air and water temperature, but to a cardiac arrest usually does not. In people who do not have a perfectly healthy heart, a cold shock can be fatal. As scientists found in a study, there are more deaths in high heat and cold. The main reason for this are cardiovascular diseases.
Especially seniors should be careful
Especially seniors should cool down before bathing, health experts advise. Elderly people with cardiovascular disease are at greater risk of reacting to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia when jumping into the cool water. "It's best to cool down first," says Berrisch-Rahmel. No matter if you take a shower or relax on the edge of the water - it is important that the skin has become accustomed to the temperature before jumping into the cold water. (Ad)