When the thermometer turns red, our whole body can be undermined. But it is not a legend: the heat wave can also increase the heart risk. How to preserve yourself from a heart attack? The emergency doctor Gérald Kierzek gives us some advice.
Heat increases heart stress
But what’s going on for your heart when temperatures climb? The doctor evokes real stress that we do not always think of.
“On a daily basis, the human body must be maintained at a constant temperature. Faced with a strong heat, it will set up strategies to cool (sweating, vasodilation …) which will lead to an increase in heart work. The heart must work more quickly, stronger, to maintain the blood flow to the vital organs. This additional workload represents real stress for the heart and therefore increases the risk of” cardiovascular accidents “.
In 2023, a Chinese study which had examined more than 202,000 deaths per heart attack had also concluded that there was a dangerous effect: there was a significantly higher risk than a person of a heart attack if the temperatures are high.
6 habit to be adapted in the event of a heat wave
Faced with risk, there are, however, changes in common sense to avoid undergoing this stress:
- Hydrate enough. As Dr. Kierzek specifies, the first habit to be preserved remains good hydration throughout the day.
- Avoid overheating by staying in the shadeinside or in fresh, air -conditioned or airy places;
- Avoid heat peaksgenerally between 10 and 4 p.m. for its outings;
- Change your trainingin case of physical exercise by reducing distance, frequency or speed;
- Wear loose clothes and light;
- Listen to his body: In case of weakness, dizzy that persist or worsen, consult a doctor.
Advice that is worth for everyone
Finally, remember that these tips are only intended for people with heart weakness. Admittedly, stress can particularly affect people who have cardiovascular risk factors and those who are already under treatment for the heart. But they are not the only ones concerned as said by Dr. Kierzek:
“People who practice physical activities (cardiac high -speed) will also be faced with this problem. In heat, you quickly dehydrate and this requires quickly rehydrating the body to maintain the temperature.”
It is therefore better to spare yourself during these few days of high heat.