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Not Just Heat: Doctor Warns of Summer Heart Dangers Many Underestimate
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Health & Science

Not Just Heat: Doctor Warns of Summer Heart Dangers Many Underestimate

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • High temperatures combined with humidity pose a significant risk to cardiovascular health, as the body struggles to cool itself.
  • When humidity prevents sweat evaporation, the heart works harder to circulate blood to the skin, potentially leading to fainting and increased thrombosis risk.
  • Sudden temperature shifts and extreme cold shock from rapid immersion in cold water can also trigger dangerous heart conditions, especially for vulnerable individuals.

While many associate summer with sunburn and heatstroke, a cardiologist warns that the combination of heat and high humidity presents a more insidious danger to the heart. This "muggy" weather prevents sweat from evaporating, hindering the body's natural cooling process. As a result, the heart must pump harder to redirect blood to the skin in an attempt to dissipate heat.

The most dangerous combination is heat with high humidity, known as muggy weather. In such an environment, sweat cannot evaporate, and evaporation is the primary way the body cools itself.

โ€” V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ—Cardiologist V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ— explains the physiological impact of humid heat on the body.

This increased blood flow to the skin reduces the volume of blood circulating in the core, which can impair brain function and lead to fainting. Dehydration and heatstroke further strain the cardiovascular system, accelerating heart rate and increasing the risk of blood clots. Cardiologist V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ— notes that 32ยฐC with high humidity is physiologically far more taxing than 32ยฐC in dry conditions, potentially multiplying the risk of cardiac events.

When heat is accompanied by very high humidity, the risk of cardiac events can increase several times compared to dry days. In other words, 32ยฐC in a dry environment and 32ยฐC in a muggy environment are two completely different physiological situations for a person.

โ€” V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ—Cardiologist V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ— highlights the amplified risk of heart issues in humid conditions.

Sudden temperature fluctuations also challenge the heart. A rapid drop from 30ยฐC to 16ยฐC can be a significant stressor, particularly for the elderly or those with pre-existing heart conditions. Even quick dips into cold water on a hot day can trigger a "cold shock effect," causing a sudden spike in blood pressure and heart rate. This can provoke dangerous arrhythmias in individuals with ischemic heart disease or rhythm disorders. Similarly, extreme temperature differences between the outdoors and air-conditioned interiors can cause blood vessel spasms and blood pressure fluctuations. Experts recommend maintaining indoor temperatures around 24-26ยฐC and avoiding direct drafts.

Large temperature jumps, for example, when one day it is +30ยฐC, and the next it is only +16ยฐC, are a real test for the heart.

โ€” V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ—Cardiologist V. Dลพenkeviฤiลซtฤ— discusses the impact of rapid temperature changes on the heart.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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