Keep Your Heart Healthy This Summer!

Summer is the best time to have fun outdoors with family and friends. Swimming in the pool, playing water sports, enjoying an outdoor picnic, or simply chilling out on the beach are just some of the most popular summer activities. However, you need to take the necessary precautions to protect your heart against the summer heat.

A 2019 study by German researchers found that the risk of suffering a heat-induced heart attack has increased significantly in recent years. Researchers believe this is partly due to global warming. The study also revealed that individuals with diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels) were particularly at risk for heat-induced heart attack.

Here are some tips from the American Heart Association, which can help protect your heart against the summer heat, as well as maintain your overall health and wellbeing:

• Drink lots of water before, during and after physical activities to prevent dehydration. Keeping your body hydrated helps your heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to your muscles. If you’re hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Aside from a heart attack, prolonged sun exposure may lead to heat stroke, a medical emergency that can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing made of breathable fabrics such as cotton.
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection. This is the best way to protect your eyes from the sun.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats. Apply water-resistant sunblock lotion with at least SPF 15; reapply every 2 hours.
• If it is too hot outside, try indoor activities in a gym or sports facility like basketball, swimming, yoga or badminton.
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain the ideal weight. If you smoke, quit.
• Get regular health check-ups so that your doctor can check for cardiovascular risk factors and potential heart health issues.

Talk to your doctor for more information about how to stay heart healthy in summer.

References:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Summer-Tips-for-a-Healthy- Heart_UCM_303868_Article.jsp. Accessed 6 February 2020

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190312123645.htm. Accessed 6 February 2020

https://www.medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/article.htm. Accessed 6 February 2020

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/04/05/1803061/doh-7-avoid-prolonged-sun-exposure. Accessed 6 February 2020

https://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/sunglasses.htm. Accessed 6 February 2020