Be careful, heat! Medications increase risk of heart problems in summer heat

Be careful, heat! Medications increase risk of heart problems in summer heat

With summer temperatures breaking records more and more frequently in recent years, the question arises: What should we do with our medication? Professor Bernhard Kuch warns urgently that every hot period poses health risks, especially for people who regularly take medication. According to a report by Swabian It shows that overheating and circulatory problems increase noticeably in the hot season. Patients who are prone to heart attacks or strokes are particularly affected.

The background to this warning is the changes that extreme temperatures cause in the body. Professor Kuch explains: “Medicines such as beta blockers, aspirin and clopidogrel increase the risk of heart attacks in hot weather.” Beta blockers prevent appropriate vascular responses to temperature changes, which may lead to an unnoticed increase in body temperature. As a result, the risk of health emergencies could increase, especially among those who are already in poor health.

Additional risk factors

Again daily news Reportedly, other medications also play a role. Blood pressure lowering drugs, painkillers such as ibuprofen and psychotropic drugs can cause undesirable side effects at high temperatures. There is a risk that too high doses of blood pressure medication can cause dangerously low blood pressure, which can lead to fainting or even injury from falling.

Also important are dehydrating medications (diuretics), which can have an increased effect at these temperatures. People who suffer from heart failure or high blood pressure should be particularly careful: increased water excretion can result in dangerous side effects. It is therefore important that patients seek medical advice before the hot season and adjust their medication if necessary.

Heat and the weakest among us

Another alarming point is the increasing mortality at high temperatures, such as PTA Today determines. Older people, pregnant women and infants and small children are particularly at risk. Increasing average temperatures and more frequent hot days are putting enormous strain on the healthcare system, which is already evident in the form of more rescue missions and hospital stays. The RKI reports that the summer of 2023 was the hottest since weather records began.

In view of the multitude of health risks, sufficient fluid intake is the be-all and end-all. Professor Kuch recommends drinking a lot on hot days in order to optimize the effect of medication and minimize possible side effects. Additionally, people who take a lot of medications should consult their doctor to make any necessary adjustments.

Ultimately, it is crucial to be aware of the risks and take active measures to ensure protection. Especially when the heat continues, it is important to not only keep an eye on your own health, but also that of those around you, because prevention is always better than aftercare!