Increased risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure
Specialist Doctor 2 Huynh Tan Vu, Day Treatment Unit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Branch 3, said that hot temperatures can easily cause the heart rate to increase rapidly, leading to increased blood pressure. This is even more dangerous for people with pre-existing hypertension. These patients should be treated with full medication, and should not stop taking medication suddenly, as this can easily cause a hypertensive crisis, causing serious complications.
"If the patient has signs of headache or dizziness, they must be taken to a medical facility immediately to prevent sudden spikes in blood pressure that, if not detected promptly, can be life-threatening, such as a stroke," Dr. Vu advised.
Patients being treated with antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics should also be aware of the risk of hypovolemia leading to fluid and electrolyte disturbances.
Hot temperatures can easily cause the heart rate to increase, leading to increased blood pressure.
Water and electrolyte disturbances in heart failure patients
Dr. Vu said that hot weather makes the body lose more water, because water is lost through sweat and urination more than in cold weather.
"Because heart failure patients still have to take diuretics regularly, they are more susceptible to salt and water loss, leading to water and electrolyte disorders. The body's circulating volume decreases, electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, potassium, etc. are all reduced, causing patients to develop complications such as heart rhythm disturbances and kidney failure," Dr. Vu analyzed.
Therefore, in the summer, heart failure patients taking heart medications, diuretics and ACE inhibitors should drink more water, many times a day, avoid letting their bodies become thirsty, and avoid going out in the hot sun.
People wear closed clothes in hot weather
Diabetics pay attention to blood sugar levels
During hot days, it is necessary to pay attention to the diet of diabetics. Avoid hypoglycemia due to inadequate diet while still taking medication. Hypoglycemia is one of the favorable factors leading to myocardial infarction in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.
Diabetic patients with kidney complications who have inadequate nutrition and drink little water will increase kidney failure or make kidney failure worse when taking diuretics and ACE inhibitors. At the same time, diabetic patients are more susceptible to thrombotic and embolic complications if the body is not provided with enough water during the hot season.
"People with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes in hot weather should avoid doing a lot of activities in the sun, should drink enough water, eat a lot of fresh fruits such as oranges, tangerines, bananas, grapes... to provide enough electrolytes for the body. If any abnormal symptoms of the disease appear, they must be examined by specialists promptly to avoid bad consequences," Dr. Vu advised.
How to prevent common diseases in hot season
Doctor Vu shares some tips to help prevent hot season diseases:
- Avoid going out in the heat unless absolutely necessary. If you must go out in the heat, wear a hat, clothes, glasses, and a mask to protect yourself from the heat.
- Drink plenty of water, especially for those who work outdoors and lose a lot of water, so you should drink lemon juice or diluted salt water, oresol water... Do not drink too much ice water or water that is too cold, as it can easily cause sore throat.
- Do not set the air conditioner temperature in the room too low; do not let the fan blow directly on you.
- Eat cooked food and drink boiled water; ensure food hygiene and safety; increase nutrition, eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate vitamins and strengthen the body's resistance.
- Improve personal hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap, especially before preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet; clean nose and throat daily with salt water.
- Regularly clean surfaces, daily contact objects, doorknobs, stair handrails, table tops, chairs, floors, children's toys, school supplies, etc. with soap or common detergents.
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