How to keep the heart healthy in summers.....

 

Slow down- strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay at the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.

Dress for summer- lightweight light coloured clothing reflects sunlight and heat and helps the body maintain normal temperatures.

Put less fuel on your fires. Foods like proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Do not take salt tablets unless prescribed by a physician. People on salt restricted diet should consult their physicians before increasing the salt intake.

Spend more time in air-conditioned places- air-conditioning at home and other places reduces the danger from heat. If you cannot afford an air-conditioner then spending some time each day in an air-conditioned environment affords some protection.

Don’t get too much sun- sunburn makes the job of the heat dissipation that much more difficult.

Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages. The body needs water to cool. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets, or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.