Guys, the dog days of summer are officially here.
That means more golf with your friends… or trips to the beach on a hot day.
It also means that some days are beginning to feel downright stifling!
Which is why it’s important that you start taking precautions NOW to avoid heat-related illnesses and conditions like dehydration, fatigue, and heat stroke.
Because according to new research, YOUR HEART could be a causality of the inevitable rising temperatures.
Cardiovascular DEATHS Target Men on Warm Nights?
According to a study from the University of Toronto, cardiovascular disease deaths in older men are more likely to occur on hot, summer nights.
The study found that just a 1.8-degree Fahrenheit jump in nighttime temperatures raised the risk of cardiovascular death for men in their 60s…
That means, even a slight uptick in the temperature can put undue stress on your heart.
You see, high heat can cause your blood pressure to sink, making your heart beat faster. This can put you at risk of a heart attack if the stress becomes too great.
It should be noted that the aforementioned study was done exclusively on older guys. But women also need to be mindful of taking care of your heart during warm weather.
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to keep your heart healthy this summer… without sacrificing your favorite warm-weather activities.
The single best thing you can do to beat the heat and keep your body running smoothy is to stay hydrated and drink PLENTY of water. The second you become dehydrated is the second your body’s internal organs (including the heart) can begin to labor and not function correctly.
Staying hydrated is like your body’s internal air conditioning system… but if you have an actual A/C unit, don’t be afraid to use it when the temperatures get high.
You should also consider taking a magnesium supplement during the summer months. Magnesium is considered an essential electrolyte, and it’s been found to help your body retain the potassium it needs to stay hydrated.
Talk to your doctor about incorporating magnesium into your diet.
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Sources:
Brokaw, Summer. “Study: Cardiovascular disease deaths in older men occur more on warmer nights.” 3/28/22. https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2022/03/28/canada-researchers-study-britain-us-warm-nights-more-cardiovascular-deaths-men/1381648479485/
Cleveland Heartlab. “Summer Heat and Heart Attacks.” 7/15/19. https://www.clevelandheartlab.com/blog/summer-heat-and-heart-attacks/#:~:text=Very%20high%20heat%20can%20lower,risk%20for%20a%20heart%20attack.
Levitan, Arielle. “Drinking Water is not Always Enough: Essential Electrolytes for Dehydration.” 7/7/14. https://www.vousvitamin.com/drinking-water-always-enough-essential-electrolytes-for-dehydration-magnesium-supplement/#:~:text=Magnesium%20is%20also%20an%20essential,onto%20the%20potassium%20it%20needs