The experts' instructions for the heat - What to pay attention to in your diet and everyday life

For better or worse these days, wherever you are in Greece, the heat is really unbearable. If you also have some issues with your health, the heat has knocked you out.

See below the official instructions given to protect yourself and deal with this unbearable heat:

General instructions:

• Avoiding the sun during high radiation hours (11.00-16.00).
• Avoiding heavy physical work and excessive exercise, especially in places with high temperature or humidity.
• Avoiding long journeys by public transport during high heat.
• Consuming plenty of fluids (up to 1.5 – 2 liters).
• Avoiding large meals.
• Limiting alcoholic drinks as well as drinks that contain a lot of caffeine.
• If sweating is profuse, adding salt in small amounts to the diet to balance electrolyte loss.
• Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• During the day several showers with lukewarm water.
• Modification of antihypertensive treatment. People with high blood pressure in the summer need smaller doses of medicine because the pressure decreases with the heat.
• Modification of heart failure treatment. Adjustment of the dosage of drugs such as diuretics and vasodilators because there is a risk of electrolyte disturbances and dehydration.
• Travel by plane or other means is prohibited for patients with a recent acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris, recent bypass surgery or heart failure deregulation.
• Generally those with permanent heart pacemakers can travel by plane. But some types of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are deregulated by airport security systems. It is a good idea for patients to have their pacemaker or defibrillator "ID card" with them.
• Every heart patient should definitely have all the necessary medications they need with them, their doctor's name and phone numbers, and the necessary information about their condition and treatment.

At the sea:

• Avoiding the dangerous hours of the sun, between 12.00-4.00 pm.
• The contact with the water should be done gradually.
• At least 2 hours have passed since the last meal.
• Swimming for 30-45 minutes a day (even at mild intensity), because the beneficial benefit of exercise is then more apparent.

At the mountain:

At high altitude there is a decrease in oxygen and a decrease in atmospheric pressure. A decrease in atmospheric pressure increases blood pressure, and a decrease in oxygen forces the body to take more frequent, deeper breaths, with an increase in heart rate. If the altitude is above 2,500 m, headache, dizziness, palpitations, pulmonary edema may occur, therefore it is advisable for patients with heart failure to avoid high altitudes.

THE Hellenic Cardiology Society recommends that citizens observe all personal safety measures, avoid exposure to high temperature environments, stay well hydrated and eat well, and for any issue concerning their cardiovascular health or treatment, do not hesitate to consult their cardiologist.

See also:

How to protect your hair from the sun