Un record heat, made even more unsustainable by the persistent absence of rain, which will reach temperatures over 40 degrees at the weekend and for the next ten days. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, passing through people with heart or respiratory diseases, are on the alert.
But it is especially people with heart and blood pressure ailments who need to pay attention to keep blood pressure levels in the right range. Cardiology societies recommend decalogues to avoid heatstroke, collapse and fainting. We talked about it with the Professor Stefano Carugo, Director of the Cardiology Unit of the University of Milan of the Hypertension Center of the Milan Polyclinic.
Apocalypse, the new heat wave
It couldn’t have had a less troubling name. According to forecasts, the fourth heat wave of this summer 2022 will be more intense than the previous ones. The new African anticyclone, Apocalypse, is expected as early as Friday 15 July. Temperatures will be around 38/40 degrees and in some areas it will go even over 40 degrees. The areas most affected by the heat will be in Northern Italy and on the islands, with heat and temperatures 20 degrees above the seasonal average.
Hot and hypertension, the things you need to know to better defend yourself
“In Italy, 16 million people suffering from hypertension and many patients are calling us these days, alarmed by the news of a further worsening of temperatures, to know what to do in order not to worsen their health condition”, explains Professor Garugo. Those who suffer from hypertension or from sudden changes in blood pressure or heart disease, in fact, suffer further from the heat and heat. Exhaustion, dizziness, loss of appetite, dizziness they can show up suddenly.
“In this case it is important keep calm and immediately emit in the shadein a airy place, lie down with your legs propped up. Breathe calmly and drink a glass of water with a nice spoonful of sugar or salt well mixed », advises Carugo. In a few minutes the pressure should stabilize and the discomfort gradually subside until it resolves. But if you have heart disease and it does not pass within about 10 minutes, it is good to call for help or if you are alone, call 118.
We protect the elderly
“In Milan, as in all the big cities, there are many lonely and frail elderly people locked up at home. They are scared, they often feel abandoned because their children and grandchildren are on vacation or at work and don’t have time to visit them. Give them a call, just a few minutes on the phone is enough to make them feel better and make sure they are well », Professor Carugo recommends.
Anti-heat plans to help the most fragile
In many cities, anti-heat plans have been active since June to support the elderly and disabled during the hottest periods of the summer. For instance Milan Helps is the service that the Municipality of Milan offers to elderly people and people with disabilities, to whom it provides assistance in case of temporary need during the summer period through:
- House assistance
- home delivery of meals
- telephone support
- telephone monitoring in case of particularly hot days.
To activate the services of the Floor Anticaldo / Antisolitudine call 02.02.02 from 8:00 to 18:00, from Monday to Saturday except holidays.
10 anti-heat tips for everyone
A few simple precautions are enough to cope with the incoming heat without alarmism. Here are the advice of Professor Garugo, valid not only for the elderly and for those with cardiological disorders, but for everyone.
- Hydrate: drink at least one and a half liters of water a day, at room temperature. If drinking plain water is not appreciated, you can add a few drops of lemon or pieces of fruit to the bottle, or tea bags to drink even when not hot.
- Check your blood pressure more carefullyat least once a day
- Avoid DIYthat is, do not independently reduce heart or pressure therapy: always consult your doctor
- Using supplements that help manage heat and dehydration better: choose those with potassium, magnesium and sodium
- Dress in light clothing, made of natural fibers: synthetic fibers increase the sensation of heat and make you sweat more
- Limit pasta and red meateat more fruits and vegetables, do not abuse sugars
- Do not lock yourself in the chair, overwhelmed by the heat: it is good maintain a minimum of physical activitymaybe go out early in the morning to walk
- Do not leave the house or expose yourself to the sun between 12 and 15
- If you feel a drop in blood pressure or profuse sweating, drink a solution of water and sugar and / or water and salt, pull up your legs. If it doesn’t pass in 10 minutes, call for help or 911
- Take at least one shower a day (without consuming too much water), better fresh than hot, but not frozen
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