Thursday, August 12, 2010

Beating the Heat Critical for Patients with Heart Failure, Other Chronic Conditions

Patients with heart failure and certain other chronic medical conditions should not exercise outside in very hot and humid weather. This is because their hearts have less reserve capacity to transport heat from the body and their hearts can become overworked.

In addition, many heart failure patients are also trying to balance the fluid levels in their bodies by taking diuretic medications that rid the body of excess water and reduce their ability to sweat. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop in heart failure patients just by their sitting in a house or car that is not air-conditioned or by being outside in the sun for too long on very hot days.

Tips for people living with heart failure:

• Continue your usual exercise, but move indoors to an air-conditioned space (try walking laps at the mall).
• Do not stay in a building, house or car without air conditioning.
• Weigh yourself daily at the same time and with the same amount of clothing. If your weight drops more than two to three pounds from your normal weight, call your doctor to see if your medications need adjusting.
• Be cautious and take frequent cooling breaks when you are outdoors.
• Drink cool water rather than cold water because the body absorbs cool water faster.
• Do not drink juices or sodas during exercise as they are not absorbed well during exercise.
• Sports drinks are not required for salt and mineral replacement if you eat a healthy diet.

If you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, remove any extra layers of clothing, begin drinking cool water and seek medical attention if you do not feel better after one hour. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Dry tongue and thirst
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

--Janice Meadows MBA, BSN, CEN
Assistant Vice President, Frances Langford Heart Center

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