Recently, many parts of China have been experiencing high temperatures and humidity above 35 ℃, and the Central Meteorological Observatory has issued consecutive orange alerts for high temperatures. Continuous heatwaves can pose serious risks to people's physical health, and when such extreme weather becomes the norm, it is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as the elderly to protect themselves from heatstroke.
Since mid July, hospitals at all levels in Shangrao City have admitted many heatstroke patients. 66 year old citizen Liu Feng experienced physical discomfort while going out for activities and was urgently sent to the hospital for treatment.
Medical staff remind that outdoor activities should be minimized as much as possible during hot weather, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. When it is necessary to go out, try to choose early morning and evening to reduce your stay time. In addition to taking good care of sun protection when going out, one should also carry sports drinks or diluted salt water with them and replenish them in a timely manner.
Xu Fei, director of the Department of Adult Cardiology at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that electrolyte balance, especially blood potassium levels, are very important for the heart. Therefore, when sweating heavily, it is necessary to replenish water in a timely manner, especially by supplementing this type of sports functional beverage containing electrolytes. But when replenishing water, be careful not to drink a large amount of water at once, as drinking a large amount of water can cause a significant burden on the heart in a short period of time. Therefore, it is important to replenish water frequently and in small amounts each time.
Especially for the elderly, they should carry heatstroke relieving medicines with them, such as Rendan, Shidishui, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Fengyoujing, Qingliang Oil, etc. In addition, heatstroke prevention should not be ignored indoors. Air conditioning should be turned on according to the situation, ventilation should be timed, and the intake and balance of water and electrolytes should be ensured.
Preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in hot weather
Medical staff remind that not only can extremely cold weather increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures and extreme heat can also increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to be vigilant.
The latest epidemiological survey shows that cold weather may cause an additional 9% of extreme weather related cardiovascular events, while hot weather may also increase the occurrence of an additional 1% of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Especially for elderly patients with hypertension, timely adjustment of relevant medications is necessary.
Xu Fei, director of the Department of Adult Cardiology at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, stated that during summer, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure naturally decreases. However, it is important to avoid situations of low blood pressure because many elderly people take antihypertensive drugs orally for a long time. The combination of blood vessel dilation, natural blood pressure decrease, and medication in summer may lead to low blood pressure. When blood pressure is below 100 mmHg, it may also be dangerous for the elderly.
Medical personnel emphasize that elderly people should reduce outdoor exercise in extreme weather conditions. From the perspective of heart rate, for people over 65 years old, their heart rate should be controlled below 100 beats per minute.
Xu Fei, director of the Department of Adult Cardiology at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, stated that the average heart rate for elderly people is around 60-70 beats per minute. During exercise, the heart rate may increase, but the magnitude of the increase should be appropriately controlled. Even if it increases, it is recommended not to exceed 100 beats per minute. If it exceeds 100 beats per minute, there is a risk of cardiovascular disease for the elderly.
