- Our body regulates body temperature through sweating and vasodilation, which can cause a decrease in blood pressure.
- High temperatures and sweating can become a risk factor if combined with dehydration and hypotension.
- The summer period is associated with 20% non-compliance with cardiovascular treatments, increasing the risk of suffering from heart or cerebrovascular problems
Heat produces a body reaction to promote temperature loss and maintain the proper functioning of metabolic processes. The Cardiology Service of the Torrejón University Hospital, part of the public network of the Community of Madrid, explains that this is achieved through sweating and vasodilation, which can produce a decrease in blood pressure. Although in healthy and well-hydrated people it should not cause any problem, cardiologists warn that in hypotensive and hypertensive patients with specific medication it can pose a health risk.
“In summer, and especially during heat waves, high temperatures can significantly affect patients with irregular blood pressure, and excessive efforts to maintain the ideal body temperature can overload the cardiovascular system,” enter the Dr. Iván Núñez Gil, Head of the Cardiology Service at the Torrejón University Hospital. “Vasodilation lowers blood pressure because blood vessels widen and present less resistance to blood flow,” continue explaining. This is a factor that may seem beneficial for hypertensive patients, but when combined with medication to lower blood pressure it can cause dizziness, fainting and other complications, just as it does for hypotensive patients. Therefore, this type of person should take extreme precautions during the summer season.
In addition, a mechanism that our body uses to regulate temperature is sweating, “which can cause a loss of fluids and electrolytes that can lead to dehydration if we do not hydrate properly,” explains Dr. Núñez. “Dehydration can affect blood pressure by decreasing blood volume, causing hypotension, dizziness and, in the most severe cases, affecting the functioning of our vital organs.”, Anade.
Patients with hypertension who take specific medication to lower blood pressure should be especially careful and monitor their hydration, as many of these medications act as diuretics and increase fluid loss. In addition, other medications increase vasodilation, which can exacerbate the drop in blood pressure during heat waves and in areas with hot climates and high temperatures.
The Cardiology Department at the Torrejón University Hospital stresses the importance of maintaining medication during the summer months, as the summer period is associated with a 20% rate of non-compliance with cardiovascular treatments, which increases the risk of heart or cerebrovascular problems in patients, as well as developing or worsening kidney failure. The centre's cardiologists recommend avoiding extreme temperatures, avoiding alcohol intake, properly storing medication, resting and sleeping well to prevent lack of sleep from increasing stress hormones, as it unbalances blood pressure and heart rate.
In addition, physical exercise is recommended, but during this period, seeking out the hours with less sun exposure and better temperatures. If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, Dr. Núñez Gil recommends seeing a specialist to plan and readjust your treatments if necessary, ideally before summer.