THE RIGHT MOVE
Rikki Mathay
It is scorching hot nowadays. The intense heat seeps through the skin of anyone who goes outdoors at daytime. I haven't had the luxury of time to go to the beach but just the same, my tan now is deeper than before because of the daily house-to-house distribution of grocery bags and hygiene kits for the citizens in District 6 of Quezon City.
And because of my nightly routine of visiting the bereaved all over the city, I learned that many of the deaths were caused by high blood pressure and heart attack.
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney diseases and coronary heart illnesses.
Blood pressure can be affected during the summer due to the body’s attempt to release heat which causes the heart to pump more blood, and puts it under more stress. This in turn can lead to worsening heart conditions.
In fact, Philippine Society of Hypertension president Dr. Lynn Gomez warned that hot weather can bring about high blood pressure.
According to data from the Department of Health, about 14 million Filipinos are hypertensive with blood pressure inconsistently equal to, or higher than, 140/90 mmHg.
Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of mortality in the country, constituting 35 percent of total deaths among Filipinos.
As a trained emergency responder of the Philippine Red Cross, here are the general precautions one is advised to take during the hot season:
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Avoid being outdoors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. because the sun is usually at its peak, which puts you at higher risk of heat-related illnesses.
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Wear light -colored clothing with breathable fabrics such as cotton, or sweat-repellent fabric. Wear a hat and shades. Before you leave the house, apply a water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and reapply it every two hours.
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Drink water: Stay hydrated by drinking a few glasses of water before, during and after going out or exercising. Avoid beverages with caffeine or alcohol. Dehydration causes the heart to work harder, putting it at risk. Hydration helps the heart pump blood more easily through the blood vessels to the muscles. And it helps the muscles work efficiently.
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If you don't have air-conditioning at home, put a basin filled with ice in front of an electric fan to cool the room. Keep windows open at home to have proper air circulation.
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If you are walking outdoors and feel the hot temperature, take regular rest periods. Find a shade or cool place, stop for a few minutes, hydrate and start again.
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Follow your doctor's instructions and continue to take all medications as prescribed.
And of course knowledge is power! It is important to know the signs and symptoms when you experience extreme heat.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Headache
- Intense sweating
- Cold, wet skin, chills
- Dizziness or fainting (syncope)
- Weak and fast pulse
- Muscle cramps
- Fast, shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting or both.
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