Summer Heat Can Quietly Stress Your Heart
As temperatures rise across Rajkot and Gujarat, your heart is working harder than you may realise. Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, is sharing an important reminder: summer heat can silently put extra stress on the heart — especially for people who already have heart disease.
Why Does Heat Affect the Heart?
In hot weather, your body loses fluids and salts through sweat. This can:
- Lower your blood pressure, making the heart pump faster to keep blood flowing
- Increase your heart rate, adding extra strain on the heart muscle
- Cause dehydration, which can make heart failure symptoms worse
- Trigger dizziness or fainting, especially in older patients
Who Is at Higher Risk?
People taking diuretics (water tablets) or blood pressure medicines need to be especially careful during extreme heat. These medicines already affect fluid levels in the body, and summer heat adds to that burden.
Patients with a history of heart failure, coronary artery disease, or high blood pressure should pay close attention to how they feel during hot days.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Heart This Summer
- Drink enough water throughout the day — do not wait until you feel thirsty
- Avoid going outside during peak heat hours, usually between 11 am and 4 pm
- Rest in a cool, shaded place when outdoors is unavoidable
- Do not ignore warning signs such as unusual fatigue, palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat), dizziness, or shortness of breath
- Do not stop your medicines on your own — speak to your doctor if you are worried about side effects in summer
When to Seek Medical Help
If you or a family member experiences chest discomfort, severe dizziness, fainting, or breathlessness in the heat, seek medical attention promptly. These symptoms can be serious for people with existing heart conditions.
If you have heart disease or are on heart medicines, consult a qualified cardiologist before summer to review your care plan. You can book a consultation with Dr. Nikhila Pachani at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot.