Cardiologist Pitesti, Dr. Adrian Tassi: ” The heat wave attacks the heart”

Cardiologist from Pitesti Dr. Adrian Tase: “The heat wave attacks the heart.”

Summer has come with all of its consequences. Excessive heat causes discomfort especially for the elderly over 65 years of age, young children, pregnant women, obese people, alcoholics, people with disabilities, diabetics, people with cardiovascular disease and chronic diseases in general.

When high temperatures are combined with high humidity, the situation is worse, because heat loss can no longer be achieved through the sweating mechanism. The thermal comfort index relates air temperature and relative humidity.

The heat wave attacks the heart:

High temperatures lead to dehydration. Adrian Tase, one of the most appreciated and experienced cardiologists in Argeş, spoke about the measures that vulnerable people should take in order to survive overheating.

Dehydration can lead to aggression

“Due to excessive heat, there are symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fainting, headache, palpitations and muscle cramps. Because of heat, the entire internal balance of the individual is disturbed, with physical exhaustion and agitation. Each individual’s ability to concentrate is reduced, resulting in a relative state of confusion. Therefore, the effects of The heat wave is felt not only physically, but also mentally, because high temperatures dehydrate the brain,” said Dr. Adrian Tassi.

Dehydration can lead to aggression. At the level of the heart, several types of problems can occur during heat. Cardiac arrhythmias are characterized by an increase in heart rate, with possible disturbances. Tachycardia can be sinusoidal, that is, an acceleration of the physiological rhythm.

“Calorie shock increases the heart rate. Contractions sometimes also appear. There are also more severe arrhythmias, such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Dehydration, in addition to water loss, can result in into calcium, magnesium and potassium ions.

Low levels of potassium in the blood may be responsible for triggering the arrhythmia. Typical angina pain is caused by increased oxygen consumption of the heart muscle, while atypical pain is caused by nervousness, anxiety, irritability and panic.

The heat wave attacks the heart:

Dehydration of the nervous system can lead to irritability, hostility, and even aggression, all of which are sources of chest pain. In the past week, I treated a relatively large number of hypertensive patients for whom an increase in blood pressure values ​​was associated with a heat wave,” said Dr. Adrian Tassi.

In contrast, there are cases of hypotension, either by dehydration, which leads to hypovolemia and subsequent hypotension, or by excessive action of antihypertensive drugs.

Patients with long-term heart disease can be compensated with heat, which leads to heart failure manifested by shortness of breath and edema of the lower extremities.

With regard to cardiac drugs, caution should be exercised due to the risk of hypotension due to dehydration: the doses of antihypertensive drugs and especially diuretics should be adjusted by the cardiologist. Patients taking thyroid hormones should also see an endocrinologist for dosage adjustment. The diet should be mostly vegetarian.

The heat wave attacks the heart:

What are the solutions?

As global warming is acting on the planet in a deceptive, treacherous way and without symptoms, such as high blood pressure or diabetes in the human body, we must adopt a smart lifestyle to counteract the effects of the heat wave. It is valid not only for the heart, but for the whole population.

“The first thing we have to do, especially during peak hours, is take a break from going somewhere cold. Just as there are water-cooled and air-cooled engines, respectively, the human body can cool off in a pool or in an air conditioner.

When the ambient temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the windows should be closed. What follows is the generous consumption of liquids: water, fruit juices, yogurt, or rather, isotonic drinks, without waiting for the feeling of thirst.

The heat wave attacks the heart:

The diet should be predominantly vegetarian, as per the European Parliament directive of 5 fruits/vegetables per day. In addition, fats should be avoided because they contain calories. As well as physical exertion, because muscle fibers generate heat. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided in the heat, even if they are cold.

Physical exertion should be minimized, and clothing should be light and light. Covering the head with a white hat, sunglasses, white sun umbrellas, light linen clothing or other steamy white material is recommended, the cardiologist explained.

At the end of this article, we hope that it has won your admiration and satisfaction, and that you have benefited from it. We have explained the dangers of a high heat wave on the health of the human body in general and the health of the heart in particular.