Heart patients at risk during the holiday

It is vital for individuals with cardiovascular disease to pay attention to their health during Eid al-Adha, which coincides with hot summer days.

Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Ateşal warned that people with cardiovascular disease may face health risks during Eid al-Adha due to the consumption of red meat and sweets, as well as the excessively hot weather:

"Days when temperature and humidity rise can be dangerous for heart and vascular patients. A study indicated that for people over 65, there is a 2 percent increase in the mortality rate for every degree of temperature increase above 20 degrees. Temperature increases affect patients aged 60 and over for men, and 70 and over for women, more significantly. Extreme heat leads to sudden drops in blood pressure, an increase in heart attacks due to the disruption of the balance of blood flow to the heart, and the worsening of failure symptoms in heart failure patients."

''THE DEGREE AND SEVERITY OF HEART DISEASE...''

Noting that excessive water loss can occur due to the heat, Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Ateşal said, "The dietary routine changes during the holiday. In this situation, there are irregularities and disruptions in medication intake. Therefore, it should be taken into account that heart patients will be more affected during the holiday break. Patients who have undergone or will undergo heart surgery or a heart-related procedure should generally stay away from consuming sweets and foods that will raise cholesterol. During the recovery period after surgery, patients generally need plenty of fluids, high calories, and protein. Since the degree and severity of heart disease differ in every patient, patients who want to consume red meat and sweets during the holiday should inform their doctors about their own conditions, act in accordance with their opinions and recommendations, and make medication adjustments together with their doctors."

''IF THE WATER AND SALT LOSS THAT INCREASES WITH EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY IS NOT REPLACED...''

Stating that "heat syndromes," where negative effects related to heat are observed, develop when the air temperature exceeds 32 degrees and humidity exceeds 60 percent, Prof. Dr. Ateşal said, "Heat syndromes are listed in order of severity as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, and these are often seen overlapping. Heat syndromes are seen more frequently and are more dangerous in the first days of hot weather, when the body has not yet adapted to the heat. The body's first reactions to protect against rising external temperatures are sweating and the dilation of blood vessels in the skin. As long as sweating continues, it is possible to tolerate high temperatures provided that enough water and salt are taken. When the humidity level rises, fluid loss through sweating begins to decrease, and thus the possibility of heat stroke increases. The body adapts to heat within 1-2 weeks. During this period, both sweating becomes easier and the amount of salt lost through sweat decreases. If the water and salt loss that increases with extreme heat and humidity cannot be replaced, heart attacks are triggered by an increase in the tendency of the blood to thicken and clot. In this process, the kidneys intervene to retain the lost water, and substances with a vasoconstrictive effect enter the bloodstream. While this effect puts more load on the heart, kidney functions also begin to deteriorate. In patients with heart failure, life-threatening conditions (such as heart attack or rhythm disorders) can develop as a result of difficulty in adapting to heat and a decrease in blood flow to vital organs," he said.

''ESPECIALLY BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERING, DIURETIC...''

Noting that since extreme heat and humidity affect the body's metabolism, there may also be differences in the effectiveness of the medications used, Prof. Dr. Ateşal said, "It is necessary to review the use of blood pressure lowering, diuretic, heart rate-affecting, blood-thinning medications, and especially some antidepressant medications with your doctor, as they also negatively affect blood salt. Because the same doses of medications can lead to more drops in blood pressure or lower pulse rates in the summer months, and the need for diuretic medications may decrease due to excessive sweating."

DO NOT GO OUT IN THE SUN BETWEEN 11:00 AND 16:00

Underlining that heart patients should prefer light-colored, loose, and comfortable clothing in hot weather, Prof. Dr. Ateşal stated, "One should not go out in the sun between 11:00 and 16:00, when the sun's rays are at a steep angle; heavy, fatty, and high-calorie meals should be avoided, and plenty of vegetables and fruits should be consumed. Meals should be eaten in small amounts and at frequent intervals. To prevent fluid loss, 2.5-3 liters of water should be drunk per day. Carbonated drinks and beverages like coffee should not be consumed excessively as they can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Ayran is recommended for people who do not have high blood pressure or heart failure."