Extreme heat and prolonged exposure to the sun can pose serious risks to your health, including an increased chance of a heart attack. Here’s why:

How Heat Affects the Heart

• Dehydration and Electrolyte Loss: In hot weather, your body sweats more to cool down. Excessive sweating causes loss of water and important electrolytes like potassium and sodium. These minerals are vital for normal heart function and maintaining the balance of fluids in your body. Losing them can disrupt heart rhythms and put extra strain on your heart.
• Increased Blood Circulation: To cool itself, your body increases blood flow to the skin. This means your heart needs to pump harder and faster to maintain blood circulation. For people with heart problems, this extra load can be dangerous and may trigger a heart attack.
• Heat Stress: Prolonged exposure to heat without adequate hydration can lead to heatstroke, which stresses the cardiovascular system further, raising the risk of heart-related emergencies.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• People spending long hours under the sun without drinking enough water
• Small children, pregnant women, and elderly people, who are more vulnerable to heat effects
• Individuals with existing heart conditions

Even half an hour to an hour in the sun without protection or hydration can cause serious health problems, including increased risk of heart attack.

Important Tips to Protect Your Heart in Hot Weather

• Drink plenty of water — at least 7 glasses daily to stay hydrated.
• Avoid going out in the peak heat hours between 12 PM and 4 PM.
• Always cover your head with a hat or cloth if you need to be outdoors.
• Carry water with you to stay hydrated on the go.
• If you have heart disease, always keep your medications handy and follow your doctor’s advice.

In summary: Heat makes your heart work harder, dehydration affects heart function, and combined with other risks, this can lead to a heart attack. Taking simple precautions can help protect your heart during hot weather.