HEAT WAVE AND HEART FAILURE

A heat wave can greatly destabilize the condition of a patient suffering from heart failure.

What is a heat wave?

According to the different definitions found on Internet, a heat wave is a weather phenomenon where the outside temperature is abnormally hot and can persist from a few days to a few weeks.

For climatic conditions to be called a “heat wave,” the temperature must be equal to or higher than 30 degrees Celcius for at least 3 consecutive days. Other elements can be present during heat waves: high humidity, humidex, "smog" or the presence of fine, polluting particles in stagnant air.

In urban centers, the heat wave is intensified by heat pockets due to the absence of vegetation and by massive presence of concrete and pavement.

Vulnerable people

Patients with heart failure often require daily attention.

The presence of a heat wave can cause instability that may require hospitalization or, in very severe cases, an increase in mortality!

Beware of the message that you have to drink a lot

We have all heard the general recommendations on radio and TV and now on Internet that in times of heat waves, you have to drink a lot.

This recommendation is not intended for patients with heart failure. On the contrary, drinking a lot can precipitate common pulmonary edema, commonly known as "water on the lungs."

Let's review some tips and recommendations given to these patients in hot weather depending on the presence or not of an air conditioner at home.

Air conditioner present at home

This situation does not change the recommendations and advice given to patients with heart failures, except to avoid long sessions outside and avoid doing work.

Walking outdoors is permitted but on a shorter distance with a rest period afterwards and inside a cooler building.

Instructions

The basic treatment includes the following:

• Take your prescribed medication

• Eat adequate food reduced in salt

• Less than 2 litres of any type of liquids combined daily.

• Moderate amount of alcohol

• Physical activity

• Rest periods

• Regularly weigh yourself in the morning

• Quit smoking

This disease gives thirst

This disease gives thirst. The temptation to drink can always be present!

To help you quench your thirst, place berries in the freezer. Just take one, let it melt in your mouth and swallow it.

Unlike ice cubes or pop-cycles, berries are not calculated in daily fluid restrictions.

It is important to remember to follow the recommendations related to medication. Stopping the medication is often a cause of re-hospitalization.

No air conditioner at home

This situation is a bit more problematic.

For periods of heat waves that last several days, it would be better to offer an air-conditioned place to patients by bringing them to a family member who has an air conditioner.

Shopping centers

For some, this is not possible. In this case, it is recommended to spend lots of time in shopping malls or other public places that offer an air-conditioned temperature.

Sweating

It is wrong to believe that sweating represents a significant loss of water.

Exceeding the restriction in liquid must be done with caution. Monitoring your weight is essential. If a slight increase in your weight is noticed daily, it could be an evidence of water retention and this is a sign of complications. It must be controlled by reducing the amount of liquid on the following days.

If your weight continues to increase, you must advise the professional responsible of heart failures at the clinic if you are part of it. If not, try to contact your doctor or see one in a clinic or the emergency at the hospital.

Accumulation of water

You should know that when your weight increases over a few days, it is not fat that causes it, but rather water. This water is distributed everywhere in the human body. Like the swollen legs, the intestine may have extra water in its walls, which makes the medication less absorbed. As a result, its effectiveness is reduced, if not nullified.

Avoid hospitalizations

This is why weight monitoring is important and you have to be vigilant. The goal is to maintain a good health condition and avoid hospitalization as much as possible.

Thirst can be at its peak

For patients without air conditioners, thirst is even more present during heat waves.

Since the sickness accentuates thirst and the heat increases, the temptation to drink can be at its highest!

Tip about thirst; frozen berry!

As I described earlier, to help you quench your thirst, place some berries in the freezer. Just take one, let it melt in your mouth and swallow it.

Unlike ice cubes or pop-cycles, berries are not calculated in fluid restriction.

Once again, the instructions

During this period of precariousness, the instructions are even more important. Here they are again: