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The effects of hot weather on blood pressure and circulation

It’s not only the sweat, tan, and thirst that the blazing sun throws our way during the summer. Its nothing but the effects of hot weather on blood pressure and circulation. The maximum risk is when the temperature is beyond 70 degrees and the humidity is more than 70%, and the people who have to be most careful are the ones who are 50 years and above, who deal with extra weight, and who have heart, kidney, or lung disorders.

The connection between heat and blood pressure and circulation

Blood pressure is nothing but the force of blood in the arteries which pushes against the walls of these blood vessels. When the temperatures rise and the humidity levels increase, the pressure of the blood flow also increases. This leads to multiple health issues like heart and kidney disease, and stroke. 

Below are the factors that trigger increased blood pressure and circulation during high temperatures

1.Dilation of blood vessels- The reason why the force of blood increases in the arteries is because, during the hot and humid weather, the body needs to put in more work to maintain its internal temperature. This causes the blood vessels to dilate so that more blood can pass through them and reach the skin to handle the heat there due to excessive sweating. In the beginning, when the arteries dilate, the blood pressure shows a dip but as the body continues the process to cool down, the blood vessels eventually constrict and increase the pressure of the blood flow. 

2.Dehydration-Another vicious loop is dehydration. The increased blood flow can lead to dehydration if adequate fluids are not consumed. Dehydration also causes the blood pressure to rise as the body tries to compensate for the decreased amount of blood by narrowing down the blood vessels and thereby increasing the heart rate.

3.Humidity- People with existing heart conditions, hypertension, and the elderly with certain health conditions are prone to fluctuations in blood pressure and blood circulation when the humidity increases. The reason is that humidity makes the evaporation of the sweat from the skin slower and the body retains the heat within causing the blood pressure to rise. Experts say that high levels of humidity make it difficult for the body to regulate its internal temperature, contributing to elevated blood pressure levels. For people with heart conditions, the hot weather can make the blood vessels hard and rigid, limiting their range of expansion and contraction. This restriction hampers the flow of blood to the important parts of the body and increases the chances of stroke as well as a heart attack.

4.Medications- Certain medicines like diuretics can cause dehydration in the body and these can worsen the effects of the rising temperature, such as high blood pressure.

How to manage blood pressure levels during summer

If a person resides in a place where the temperatures soar they may be required to take the following steps to keep their blood pressure levels in check

• The golden rule is to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids to replenish the amount lost due to sweating. Look for the early signs of dehydration and keep sipping water.
• It is recommended to wear loose cotton clothes that are light-colored to avoid excessive sweating.
• Strenuous activity should also be avoided and if a person must exercise, they should do so during the early hours of morning or evening and avoid the hottest parts of the day.
• Alcohol causes dehydration and its intake should be restricted during the hot weather.
• Applying sunscreen and wearing sun protective gear while stepping out.

Signs that the body isn’t able to manage the heat.

The body sends specific signs and symptoms if it is unable to keep up with the increasing temperatures and humidity.

These are the signs to look out for

-Cold skin.

-Confusion and disorientation.

-Dizziness.

-Increase the pulse rate.

-Excessive sweating.

-Headache.

-Muscle cramps.

-Nausea.

-Swelling in the hands and legs.

The summers with the brilliant sun can be a boon and bane. People with health conditions and susceptibity to high blood pressure should ensure that they are taking all the steps to keep their bodies hydrated and maintaining the internal temperature. In the occurrence of any symptoms mentioned above it is advised to consult a doctor and follow the prescribed guidelines without delay.