How to Protect Your Heart From Florida’s Hot Weather

In case you didn’t know, the heat CAN HARM YOUR HEART. Research has shown that high temperature affects your cardiovascular health and in a bad way. In previous research, it has been found that high temperatures, mainly in hot regions, is hazardous for people with underlying heart conditions. It gets harder to do some specific tasks in hot weather, that incredibly stressful, strenuous ones. People with heart conditions have been advised to stay away from vigorous tasks.

However, more recent studies have shown that even people without underlying heart conditions are also prone to the risk of health diseases from high heat temperatures. There are multiple ways our body reacts to hot weather, and in some people, it is more severe than others. However, there are specific ways you can protect your heart from the hot weather in Florida.

Can Hot Weather and Heat Cause Heart Diseases?

Heart diseases result from blocked or constricted blood vessels that could lead to much more severe heart conditions like stroke, heart attacks, and angina in some severe yet rare cases. Heart diseases in hot weather or increased heat conditions have proven to be very dangerous. There is usually an increase in health issues, conditions, and emergencies in hot climates and summer seasons. When there is an increase in general atmospheric temperature, the body temperature increases as well, and there is an increase in how your heart pumps blood to other parts of the body. The continuous increase could lead to a heat stroke and could even lead to something much worse. 

While heat strokes are not specific to a particular class of people, those with underlying health conditions are to take proper care as they stand at a higher risk of being affected. There are also certain medications peculiar to people with heart conditions. When these medications are used under high-temperature conditions or when the body is supposed to drive, it could affect them adversely. Even everyday activities like sweating are dangerous to people in hot seasons; it is essential to know just what to do and guard your heart in hot seasons. 

Ways to Protect Your Heart from Florida’s Hot Weather

Avoid Strenuous Activities

When it’s hot in Florida, even simple tasks are strenuous. Performing vigorous activities and exercises like you’d during cooler seasons not be such a good idea. Just like vehicles overheat when they perform strenuous activities for too long, they hold up the heat and overheat. Similarly, the heart could also reach a breakdown when the body has too much built-in heat.

In hot weather conditions, physical activities like running, jogging, and climbing require much energy, making the heart beat faster. Because hot weather conditions have also increased the heartbeat, it is highly advisable to reduce strenuous or vigorous activities during these periods. Using up more energy and overworking the heart is not healthy and could lead to a major breakdown or a severe heart condition.

Drink Plenty of Water

Naturally, drinking lots of water is very helpful to your heart. Not only does it aid in circulation, but it also helps to cool the body temperature. Drinking lots of water means assisting your heart in the long run. It is essential to keep yourself and your body hydrated on regular days, even during strenuous activities.

It is vital to drink twice as much water in hot seasons or hot weather conditions as you would on a typical day. This would mean frequently taking water to cool your body temperature, pumping and circulation, and maintaining a stable climate. More so, water is known to be one of the most common electrolytes. Electrolytes are vital to the body when it comes to the body’s electrical and nervous systems. Drinking water during hot seasons is a sure way to protect your heart.

Avoid Coffee and Alcohols.

When it comes to coffee, alcohol, and other hot drinks, the hot season is a good time to run from them. Studies have shown that caffeine and alcohol can be highly harmful to your health, especially when taken without regulation. They have also been a significant dehydration agent and can lead to more severe health issues, especially for people with heart diseases. Since hot seasons and weather are when you need to stay hydrated and cool, you should stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and other hot drinks and stick to their more hydrating counterparts.

Stay in Cooler Environments.

If you happen to find yourself in a season with that severe hot weather, you must seek a place where you can stay relaxed. One way to attain that is to remain in calmer, more ventilated environments. In hot seasons, the heat seems to be everywhere, and the sun is hotter than usual. One primary way to deal with this is to stay indoors for most of the day, reduce activities that take you outdoors, and move most of your everyday activities under a roof. When indoors, make sure the rooms and buildings are well ventilated. 

While, in a properly ventilated apartment, you might not need air-con, some hot weathers certainly demand one. So it would be best if you got an air conditioner installed in your apartment to help cool the building. You must keep your body calm and well relaxed during hot weather.

Dress Up for The Heat!

The hot season is that time for free clothes and light-colored clothing. Wearing a heavy dress like cardigans, sweatshirts, and full, complete outfits are certainly not the best pick for the season. Put on clothes that repel heat and gives enough breathing space. Dark-colored clothing attracts heat, and so do heavy clothing. Lightweight and light-colored clothing, on the other hand, provides more breathing space and lets you feel more relaxed and more refreshed during hot seasons. It is also wise to apply sunblock before going out in the heat to help your skin from getting affected, especially for sensitive skin types.

Eat Healthily!

When it comes to your heart and a season that is not so helpful, then a sure way to go is a healthy diet. Be intentional about what you put into your system in this season. Eat healthily, and pay attention to your weight daily.

How to Know When You Are Having a Heat Stroke

General fatigue and heat stroke from hot weather conditions each have their distinct symptoms. Here are some ways to know when you are close to or already have a heat stroke.

Symptoms of Exhaustion from Heat

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Darker urination
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue

When you get any of these symptoms or signs, it’s time to step things down a bit.

Symptoms of a Heat Stroke

• Hot, reddish skin
• Fever
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness and dizziness
• Rapid, weak pulse

Conclusion

Keeping your body cool during hot temperatures and weather is very important to the body’s normal functioning. Take proper care of your heart; you have got just one! Pay attention to signs and symptoms from your body that might e an indication that something is seriously wrong. Follow these simple steps along with a few others, and you can well enough protect your heart from Florida’s hot weather!