National Territory – Extreme conditions such as heat and cold have a close relationship with cardiovascular conditions. The heart has to increase its work, and the heart rate increases, says Dr. Halley Moya, a cardiologist. The professional assures that the heart makes efforts to compensate for the imbalance produced by heat or cold.
She explains that regulating the organism’s thermoregulation is necessary, which is what the heart is exposed to.
“The heart is forced in excessive heat to be able to supply the sweat glands; they are in charge of us sweating as a way to release heat,” said Moya.” When there is excessive heat, such as the current one, systemic vasodilatation occurs, which increases blood circulation,” the cardiologist reported. In the season of high temperatures, such as in the Caribbean, the cardiovascular system is the most affected due to dehydration, which exacerbates some cardiac pathologies, the physician said.
The cardiology professional said that if there is a high level of dehydration, people’s blood vessels thicken, which increases the risk of thrombotic events.
The health professional recommends maintaining good hydration. Consuming cold liquids at room temperature is of high importance, Dr. Moya assures.
Hydration should be constant. Do not wait until you are thirsty. If you are healthy, drink between two and three liters of water throughout the day. Patients with heart failure should consult their treating physician to establish a hydration pattern based on their disease.
The professional recommends avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours, ideally exercising in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays fall tangentially on the earth.
It is essential to wear light-textured clothing that transpires to release heat. Hats, caps, or scarves are also necessary since one percent of the liquid lost through the head coincides with this.
Most of the deaths that occur during the hot summer season are of cardiovascular origin, and there is an increase in strokes and heart attacks, she explains.
The health professional assures that this can be explained by systemic vasodilatation, which leads to a greater concentration of blood, which serves as an anatomical substrate for the formation of blood clots.
Dehydration, which can exacerbate some cardiac pathologies, most affects the cardiovascular system during the hot season.