Il scorching heat this period is undoubtedly heavy for everyone to bear, but for those with heart problems it can also be dangerous.
The heat produces adaptations on the cardiovascular system, normally well tolerated by young and healthy people. In the heart patients, however, these balances can easily “get high”. And make clearing more complicated. The effects of heat can threaten the cardiovascular system of hypertensive or patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure. Particularly if they follow drug therapies. High temperatures cause both arterial and venous vasodilation. At the arterial level it leads to a lowering of blood pressure and this, in addition to giving tiredness or weakness, in a patient can cause other important problems. Many of the drugs used in hypertension exert their own action by vasodilating the arteries. Therefore, if the vasodilation caused by heat is added to that given by the therapy, the effect can be an excessive pressure drop. Which can also cause syncope. A good rule of thumb is, with the help of the cardiologist, to reshape the antihypertensive therapy during the hot season. The same reasoning applies to those with coronary problems. The drugs taken to prevent angina can lower both blood pressure and heart rate and even here the hypotensive effect of heat can cause blood pressure to drop and trigger crises. Venous vasodilation, on the other hand, can lead to greater stagnation of blood in the veins. Which means edema in the ankles and an increased risk of venous thrombosis. It is useful to try to walk more and avoid staying still for a long time. Excessive heat, especially when accompanied by high humidity, causes profuse sweating. A condition that involves a loss of fluids and mineral salts which, if not promptly replenished, can cause arrhythmias, sometimes even dangerous. In particular, for those taking antiarrhythmic therapy or those with heart failure it is important to pay attention to excessive sweating. As for holiday destinations, the sea is recommended to patients only in the early morning or late afternoon. While for those who choose the mountain, too high altitudes, above 1,500 meters, should be avoided. Beyond, in fact, the air is characterized by a reduced partial pressure of oxygen, inducing the heart to work harder.
* Cardiologist and professor of cardiology at the Catholic University of Rome © RESERVED REPRODUCTION
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