Be Careful Against the Heat in the Summer It is a Life-threatening Threat to Chronic Patients!

While rising temperatures in the summer can be challenging even for healthy individuals, they pose serious risks, especially for people with chronic conditions. According to experts, conditions such as heat stroke, dehydration and change in drug effects can lead to vital consequences in heart, diabetes, COPD, kidney and hypertension patients. The ways of protection from summer heat and the measures to be taken against the heat are explained by Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean and Nursing Department Assoc. Prof. Neşe Kıskaç.

"Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Respiratory and Kidney Diseases are in the Most Risky Group"

Vice Dean of Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Assoc. Prof. Neşe Kıskaç said that summer temperatures have more destructive effects on the elderly, children and individuals with chronic diseases and listed the diseases most affected by this situation: "Chronic diseases that are more affected by hot weather include cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma), diabetes, kidney diseases, hypertension and some neurological diseases."
Pointing out that the physiological reactions of the body to temperature can cause serious health problems in people with chronic diseases, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç emphasized that water and electrolytes lost, especially with sweating, can adversely affect many systems from heart rhythm to kidney functions.

“Dehydration Thickens the Blood, Tires the Heart”

Stating that the vessels expand and increase to lower the body temperature in hot weather, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç: “With increased sweating, the body loses water and electrolytes, which leads to dehydration. Dehydration lowers blood pressure, thickens the blood and disrupts kidney functions. This may increase the risks such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure."
Emphasizing that summer temperatures put a great burden on the circulatory system of especially heart patients, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç also added: “The heart needs to work harder because in hot weather the body pumps more blood to the skin. This can trigger heart failure or angina attacks. Excessive fluid loss also increases the risk of stroke by increasing clotting.”
Stating that the scientific researches also support these warnings, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç continued as follows: In the period of high temperatures, patients with heart failure saw an average increase in hospitalization rates of between 2% and 10%, while extreme temperatures affected cardiovascular disease deaths by 3% to 12%.

Diabetics Are More Sensitive to Heat Stress

Emphasizing that diabetes patients are another risk group affected by hot weather in addition to heart diseases, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç said that high-temperature air can disrupt the blood sugar balance of diabetes patients: “Due to fluid loss, blood sugar rises, insulin activity decreases. The risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia increases. Especially patients using insulin need to keep their medication in a cool environment.” In patients with diabetic neuropathy, burns may occur as a result of contact with hot surfaces and if this situation is not noticed, the increased risk of infection is among the issues to be considered.

Air Quality is Vital for Respiratory Patients!

Summer months are full of serious triggers for individuals with respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma. Assoc. Prof. Neşe Kıskaç: “High temperature increases ozone and particulate matter levels. This can trigger asthma and COPD attacks. Air quality should not be taken out on bad days, and should be kept in air-conditioned and filtered environments."

Hypertension and Kidney Patients Should Pay Attention to Fluid Balance!

Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç: Blood pressure may decrease due to the expansion of the vessels in hot weather, this time after fluid loss, the blood pressure may rise suddenly. Hypertension drugs, especially diuretics, can disrupt the body's fluid balance in hot weather. This increases the risk of fainting, heart rhythm disorders and stroke.” Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç also provided explanations for individuals with kidney disease.
High temperature airs trigger the risk of dehydration in kidney patients. It is difficult to balance due to limitations in fluid intake. Excessive sweating can lead to acute kidney injury. However, in some patients, taking too much fluid may also trigger edema and heart failure. Loss of potassium and sodium in dialysis patients may affect heart rhythm.”

Beware of Wrong Practices in Hot Weather! Prevention Guide for Chronic Patients

While hot and oppressive weather affects the whole country, some common practices preferred to protect from the heat also carry risks for patients. “Suddenly drinking too much cold water can lead to heart rhythm disorders, while sudden cold showers can cause blood pressure spikes. Suddenly entering an air-conditioned environment forces the respiratory system. It is not right to change the drug dose without the approval of the doctor. Emphasizing that patients in the risk group should especially be careful, Assoc. Prof. Kıskaç recommended that individuals with chronic conditions take the following basic precautions in hot weather:

You should avoid going out between 10:00–16:00.
You should drink water at regular intervals.
Wear light-colored, cotton clothes; you should wear hats and sunglasses.
Stay in cool environments; if there is no air conditioning, you should prefer public air-conditioned areas.
Avoid heavy meals, you should eat mainly vegetables and fruits.
You should do the exercises morning or evening.
You should protect your medicines from direct sunlight and heat.

Emphasizing that summer temperatures should not be underestimated, Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean in the Department of Nursing Assoc. Prof. Neşe Kıskaç: These risks can be mitigated with simple measures, so it is vital that individuals and their relatives act consciously.