How can heat affect your heart?
Sunny summer days are perfect for outdoor cookouts and poolside fun, but while you’re enjoying the heat, your heart is working overtime. For every degree your internal temperature rises, your heart rate can increase by about 10 beats per minute. This natural response helps your body cool down, but it can also put added stress on your heart.
If you’re not careful, spending time in the outdoor heat can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stay safe and enjoy your summer with these five tips for heart-healthy fun in the sun:
- Minimize your time outdoors in the hottest hours of the day.
- Plan outdoor activities for the cooler hours of the morning or evening. (This goes double for intense exercise and yard work.)
- Scope out shady spots to get out of direct sunlight.
- Take breaks from the heat by stepping indoors and enjoying the air conditioning.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or other fluids.
Listen to your body. If you start to feel fatigued or notice your heart racing, get somewhere cooler where you can get your body temperature down quickly.
Video: How can heat affect your heart?
How Carrum Health can help
If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition and think you may need surgery, Carrum Health may be able to help. We work with the country’s top heart surgery specialists, and surgery costs are often fully covered. If your employer offers Carrum Health’s cardiac benefit, you may be eligible to receive a consultation at no cost to you. Check your eligibility today.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
