{"id":14732,"date":"2019-09-02T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T17:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=14732"},"modified":"2019-09-02T04:23:24","modified_gmt":"2019-09-02T09:23:24","slug":"protect-your-heart-in-the-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2019\/09\/02\/protect-your-heart-in-the-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect your Heart in the Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AmericanDallas, TX<\/strong> – The American Heart Association, the world\u2019s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is urging people to take precautions to protect their hearts in hot weather.
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\nHot temperatures and high humidity can cause a dangerous heat index that can be hard on the heart. Dehydration causes the heart to work harder, putting it at risk.<\/p>\n

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Stay Hydrated in the the heart. (American Heart Association)<\/p><\/div>\n

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Hydration helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re a heart patient, older than 50 or overweight, you might need to take special precautions in the heat,\u201d according to Robert A. Harrington, M.D., FAHA, president of the American Heart Association and the Arthur L. Bloomfield professor of medicine and chair of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertain heart medications like angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics, which deplete the body of sodium, can exaggerate the body\u2019s response to heat and cause you to feel ill in extreme heat,\u201d said Harrington.<\/p>\n

But Harrington points out that it\u2019s important to keep taking your medications \u2014and taking them when you\u2019re supposed to. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.<\/p>\n

Even people who are not on medications need to take precautions in the heat. While infants and the elderly are more vulnerable to problems from heat, extreme temperatures can cause health issues for anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is easy to get dehydrated as you may not be aware that you\u2019re thirsty,\u201d Harrington said. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be outside, it\u2019s important to drink water even if you don\u2019t think you need it. Drink water before, during and after going outside in hot weather.\u201d <\/p>\n

The American Heart Association suggests that everyone take hot weather precautions:<\/p>\n