How Summer Heat Affects Your Heart

As the temperature rises during the summer, so does the strain on your heart.

Does that mean you need to stay inside? Not at all, says Osman Jaffer, MD, a cardiologist with Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.

Here’s how to enjoy summer and protect your heart in the heat.

How does heat affect your heart? If it’s above 80°F outside, your heart goes to work. “When it’s hot, your heart rate usually increases as it works harder to keep your body cool,” explains Dr. Jaffer. “This extra effort can cause dehydration, abnormal heart rhythms and even heart attacks.”Hot weather can also exacerbate pre-existing heart conditions, including:

• Atrial fibrillation (arrhythmia).
• Pre-existing coronary artery disease.
• Valvular heart disease, such as aortic stenosis.