3 Tips to Stay Hydrated for Heart Health

3 Tips to Stay Hydrated for Heart Health

What to do here to keep your ticker happy during the heatwave

The National Weather Service is estimating a "widespread and hazardous heat wave" that will collide in the southern and eastern parts of the United States this weekend. Many states will enter high temperatures in the 100s during the day - and it will not be very cold in the night. 

Meteorologists and public health officials are warning everyone to be cautious about the big heatwave. They encourage everyone to stay as close to home as possible - and stay hydrated.

Everyone needs to take these warnings on the heart. "There is no defense," Richard C. According to Baker, MD, Professor of Stonehill Ended Medicine, head of cardiovascular health and disease division and head of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Western Institute.

But people with heart conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness. Some heart drugs are diuretics, which increase the amount of water extracted from the body. Besides, if you have heart disease, your heart may not be able to work hard to cool your body, which can result in heatstroke.

Being prepared for extreme weather is important for being healthy. Here are three tips to stay hydrated for your heart's health.

1. Do not wait to drink

Staying hydrated is one of the most important steps to overcome heat-related illness. Proper hydration reduces stress on your heart. According to the American Heart Association, when you are hydrated, your heart does not have to work hard to pump the blood throughout the body.

But this can not be as easy as you think. When your body's main temperature exceeds its normal limit, then your body's thirsty system suffers.

Dr. Baker says, "You reduce your ability to respond to your thirst."

In other words, do not wait until you feel thirsty for drinking water. As long as you feel thirsty, you can already become dehydrated.

How much is it? It is different from the person, but generally speaking, adult men should target for 15 eight-oz glasses of water on a regular basis, and women should have 11 glasses. When it gets hot, you probably need to drink more. (And if you sweat a lot, you may need more)

On the other hand, people with heart failure tend to maintain fluid and often take diuretics. If you have heart failure, then talk to your doctor to ensure that you are properly hydrated. And do not stop taking your medication before talking to your doctor first.

2. Avoid Common Triggers for Dehydration

Some seemingly everyday activities can beat your heart in the heat, so it is easy that it is easy to limit and trigger your triggers of general exercise such as dehydration, or alcohol, which is a diuretic.

3. Monitor yourself for heat exhaustion

During excessive heat, it is necessary to always have ready water to stay hydrated. Overheating can lead to serious problems including heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The symptoms of these situations are sometimes the same, and include:

• Weakness

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Vomiting

• Dark urine

• Cool, moist skin

Baker says a preliminary indication of heat disease is muscle spasms. In that case, you can choose a sports drink to replace some lost electrolytes, which helps regulate the function of the nerve and muscles.

Baker says, "In fact, water is what you need more than anything else, but you can take water alternatively with a sports drink."