Photo Credit: Houston Methodist Cypress HospitalHealth
As local heat-related illnesses rise, Houston Methodist expert warns of hidden heart risks
This summer’s triple-digit heat — with indices exceeding 115 degrees — is contributing to a two-fold increase in heat-related illnesses across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties compared to last year.
Dr. Deepak Malhotra, a cardiovascular surgeon at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, explained that aside from visible bodily responses to heat, like sweating, there can be subtle warning signs that the body is overheating including within the heart and vascular system.
“Extreme heat causes the heart to work harder by increasing the heart rate as the body tries to cool itself,” Malhotra said. “Heat also causes blood vessels near the skin to widen, which can lower blood pressure, especially when someone is not properly hydrated.”
When a person moves from hot conditions into a cool, air-conditioned environment, the body responds by narrowing those widened blood vessels. This process can cause blood pressure to rise and overwork the heart. For people with coronary artery disease or other existing heart conditions, these sudden changes may increase the risk of serious complications, including heart failure or heart attack.
When transitioning from cold weather back to a warm environment, a similar bodily process can also increase the risk of heart attacks and, in some cases, acute aortic dissections, or serious tears in the body’s main artery.
“Normal bodily adjustment should not result in chest pain or dizziness,” Malhotra said. “If these symptoms persist or recur, then a complete cardiac workup is prudent.”
Malhotra recommends the following steps to help the body transition more safely between temperatures:
▪ Stay hydrated when spending time in hot weather. Proper hydration helps prevent significant drops in blood pressure, dizziness and stress on the heart.
▪ Allow your body to cool down gradually. When returning indoors after spending time in the heat, avoid turning the air conditioning on full blast right away. Keeping the home slightly warmer can give your body time to adjust.
▪ Pay attention to warning signs. Chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or recurring discomfort during temperature fluctuations should be discussed with a health care provider.
“There is research which suggests that repeated exposure to major temperature swings over time may also contribute to inflammation and damage to blood vessel walls,” Malhotra said. “The small vessels that supply the heart and brain may be particularly vulnerable. In people with existing coronary artery disease or heart failure, this inflammation and vessel injury may increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.”
If symptoms develop during or after a transition between hot and cold environments, Malhotra recommends seeking medical evaluation from a cardiology team.
Source: Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital
