Heat, Hydration & Heart Health

Heat Hydration and Heart Health Tampa FLIn Tampa, the summer heat can be intense – and even dangerous. During a heatwave, it’s important to stay well-hydrated, especially if you have a heart condition.

People with cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses for two main reasons. First, a weakened heart may be unable to work as hard as necessary to cool the body down, which can lead to heatstroke. Second, some common heart medications are diuretics, which work by making the kidneys release more sodium into the urine. Because the released sodium takes water with it from the blood, this decreases the amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels, which in turn reduces the pressure on the vessel walls. But, it can also promote dehydration.

The key to staying healthy during extremely hot weather is taking proper precautions. Here are three tips to help you ward off heat-related illnesses:

1. Don’t Wait Until You Feel Thirsty to Drink

Proper hydration can reduce the strain on your heart – when your body is well-hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood. But, staying well-hydrated is not as simple as drinking whenever you’re thirsty. The reason? When your body’s core temperature rises above its normal range, your thirst reflex may be impaired. Therefore, by the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be dehydrated.

How much do you need to drink? The optimal amount can vary among individuals, but in general, an adult male should drink a minimum of 15 eight-ounce glasses of water on a hot day, while an adult female should drink a minimum of 11.

2. Avoid Dehydration Triggers

When it’s sweltering outside, vigorous physical activity can overtax your heart, so it’s best to exercise indoors or just take it easy until it cools down a bit. Also, because alcohol is a diuretic – which promotes dehydration and can interfere with your body’s natural ability to cool itself – it’s particularly important to minimize your consumption of alcoholic beverages on hot days.

3. Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Under scorching conditions, you should always have drinking water at the ready, and be sure to sip continually. If your body becomes overheated, you could develop heat exhaustion. Some symptoms to watch for include:

  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Cool, moist skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately find a cool place to rest and drink plenty of water. If you do not feel better within 30-60 minutes, you should seek professional medical attention. When left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause confusion, impaired mental function, or loss of consciousness.

If you’d like more information on how to stay healthy when the outdoor temperatures soar, you are encouraged to talk with a medical professional at South Tampa Immediate Care. We never require appointments at our walk-in clinic in Tampa, FL, but you are welcome to check in online before you come in. Also, be sure to check out our other hot weather safety tips.