How does heat affect blood pressure? If you have hypertension, are there any precautions you should take in hot southern weather?
Let’s explore these questions and learn more about hot weather considerations to keep in mind as you enjoy the summer months.
How Does Heat Affect Blood Pressure?
Generally, hot weather causes blood pressure to drop. High temperatures can cause blood vessels near the surface of your skin to open up, or dilate, leading to reduced blood pressure. When it’s hot, you tend to lose more water volume through sweat, which can further lower blood pressure.
How Does Hot Weather Affect People With Hypertension?
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure or other cardiac conditions and take certain medications, you may be at higher risk of adverse effects from hot weather.
Let’s explore why this is the case.
How Hot Weather Affects the Heart
When you’re outside in the heat, especially when it’s humid, your body increases blood flow to your skin as part of a natural mechanism to regulate your body’s temperature. This, however, puts extra strain on your heart, which may need to circulate twice as much blood each minute compared to a normal day.
Your heart ends up working harder and beating faster. If you have hypertension along with conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, or angina, this added strain could lead to dangerous cardiac events.
Medication and Hot Weather
Taking certain cardiac medications can affect how your body responds to heat. For example, many people with hypertension take a diuretic, which reduces their body’s fluid volume. Medications may also affect the body’s levels of electrolytes, like sodium and potassium.
When you lose additional water and electrolytes in hot weather, this can result in drops in blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration.
Bearing all this in mind, what should you do during the hot summer months when you have high blood pressure?
Managing the Heat With Hypertension
The bottom line when it comes to heat and hypertension is: Be careful. It’s a good idea to discuss personalized heat considerations with your primary provider or cardiologist. They can provide guidance on managing your medications, drinking the proper amount of fluids, and maintaining a balanced electrolyte level during hot weather.
For example, you may be on a sodium-restricted diet. Since sodium can be lost in greater amounts through sweat, discuss with your provider whether you need to make any dietary adjustments.
Monitoring your blood pressure carefully and following your provider’s instructions regarding medication adjustments or other precautions that may be needed during hot weather is also a good idea.
General Hot Weather Tips
- Stay Hydrated
Drink adequate amounts of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration. Water is essential, and beverages like sports drinks also contain important electrolytes, in addition to water. - Find Shade
Avoid being out in the sun for extended periods. Wear loose, breathable clothing and sunscreen. Seek shade under a beach umbrella or a picnic shelter or simply go inside. Humidity can increase your fluid loss and make it harder to cool down. Don’t hesitate to go indoors or into a cool or air-conditioned space.
Warning Signs in Hot Weather
Some red flags that you may be suffering adverse effects in the heat may include:
- Rapid pulse.
- Weakness or faintness.
- Confusion.
- Dizziness.
- Cool, clammy skin.
- Unusual sweating or an absence of sweat in hot weather.
- Headaches.
- Edema (swelling) in your arms, hands, feet, or lower legs.
- Nausea.
- Muscle cramps.
Heat and High Blood Pressure: How Urgent Care Can Help
If you have high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues, be very careful when spending time in hot weather. When in doubt or if you feel concerned about how the heat is affecting you, get to a cool place. Urgent care is a good idea if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms and are concerned about your health.
If you or a family member experiences symptoms like chest pain or tightness, neck or jaw pain, shortness of breath, slurred speech, weakness in part of your body, losing consciousness, or seizures, seek help in an emergency room immediately.
In some people, cardiac events can also present with additional symptoms. For instance, feelings of nausea and indigestion can indicate a heart attack in women. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to get help.
Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care offers rapid, high-quality care 7 days a week. With three locations in the Thibodaux area, care is closer than you think.
