When the thermometer freaks out, it’s hard to resist the call of the swimming pool. And while a few laps are often enough to cool off, when leaving the pool, a simple reflex can put you in danger: getting out of the water too quickly. Explanations.
Why does heat suddenly affect your body and your heart?
When temperatures rise, our body makes colossal efforts to maintain a good temperature. “It naturally switches to peripheral vasodilation mode“, confirmed Dr. Marc Salomon, cardiologist, in a previous paper. However, when we tend to get out of the pool a little quickly in hot weather, thermal shock can occur.
“It appears especially when there is a large temperature difference between water and air or after prolonged exposure to the sun.“, alerts Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical. “Indeed, during the heatwave, the body’s “cooling” mode is already activated (the vessels dilate). In other words, if you get out of the water too quickly or suddenly go from cool to very hot, this can trigger discomfort, sometimes hydrocution.
Some people also seem to be at greater risk of illness/hydrocution during this season. Here are those affected…
Discomfort: who are the people most at risk?
Although everyone can feel a slight dizziness after swimming, certain profiles remain more vulnerable.
“The most fragile people are those who suffer from cardiovascular disease or known risk factors, such as hypertension or heart failure. But also dehydrated people, those who have drunk alcohol, and children or the elderly, who are more sensitive to temperature variations,” underlines the doctor.
During heatwaves, it is therefore better to be extra vigilant. A day spent in the sun, a lack of hydration or significant fatigue can be enough to trigger discomfort.
Discomfort: key signs to take seriously
Generally, the body sends several warning signals before discomfort occurs.
“The first symptoms are often chills, cramps, dizziness, headaches, sudden fatigue, visual or hearing problems, paleness, sometimes nausea or a feeling of intense discomfort,” says Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
And faced with these signs, only one good reflex must be adopted: react immediately. “You need to get out of the water straight away, sit down, warm yourself up gently and drink – or have the person drink water if they are conscious.”advises the doctor. Also stay cool or shaded as much as possible.
Heatwave and malaise: when should you worry?
In the majority of cases, the symptoms of heat shock disappear quickly.
However, certain (rare) situations require rapid assistance: “you must call for help or seek medical attention quickly if the discomfort does not go away quickly, if there is loss of consciousness, confusion, repeated vomiting, irregular heartbeat or if the person is not breathing normally“, says the doctor. “In the event of unconsciousness in the water, it is also an absolute emergency,”
specifies the expert.
Then, a few good daily actions will allow you to avoid it.
- Gradually enter the water, first wetting your neck, chest and back. Then avoid sudden dips after long exposure to the sun;
- When you exit the pool, take a few seconds to gradually stand up and let your body adapt to the change in temperature;
- Finally, make sure to hydrate well before and after swimming.