Stay Active This Summer Without Putting Stress on Your Heart

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like walking, swimming, gardening and family vacations. But rising temperatures and humidity can place extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular risk factors.

This doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all summer.

At Cardiology Specialists of Orange County in Santa Ana and Newport Beach, California, our cardiovascular disease doctors share simple ways to stay active, protect your heart, and safely enjoy all the summer has to offer.

Summer heat and the heart

Hot weather forces your heart to work harder to keep your body cool. As your body temperature rises, your heart pumps more blood to your skin so excess heat can escape.

Humidity makes this process more challenging by preventing sweat from evaporating efficiently. As a result, your body has a harder time cooling itself, increasing your heart’s workload.

Dehydration adds another challenge. When you lose too much fluid through sweat, your blood volume decreases, making it harder for your heart to circulate blood and maintain blood pressure. If you exercise in these conditions without taking precautions, your risk of heat exhaustion or a cardiac event increases.

Choose heart-friendly activities

You don’t have to give up exercising during the summer; you just need to take precautions about when and how you stay active.

Heart-friendly activities include:

Walking early in the morning or after sunset
Swimming or water aerobics
Biking along shaded paths
Indoor activities such as a using treadmill or fitness class
Gardening during cooler hours

No matter which activities you choose, take frequent breaks in the shade and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10am and 4pm. Heat advisories may extend these hours from 9 AM through 6 PM, so, be mindful of your local weather conditions.

Stay safe when active

A few simple precautions can help you stay active while reducing stress on your heart.

Stay well hydrated by drinking water and electrolytes before, during, and after you exercise. If you need to limit fluids to manage heart failure, we can help you make adjustments to your fluid intake based on your level of activity.

Wear lightweight, breathable clothing to help your body stay cool, and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Many people aren’t aware that sunburns can make it harder for your body to regulate your temperature, possibly leading you to overheat.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If you begin to feel overheated, dizzy, or unusually short of breath, stop exercising immediately, move to a cool area, and rest.

Warning signs of heart stress

Exercise automatically increases your heart’s workload. If you have an underlying heart condition, it’s important to recognize the signs your heart may be under too much stress.

Stop exercising and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

Schedule an appointment with one of our cardiologists before starting any new exercise program. We can evaluate your heart and help your body get the exercise it needs without overstressing your heart.

Regular exercise remains one of the best things you can do for your heart, even during the summer. By exercising during cooler hours, staying hydrated, and recognizing the warning signs of heat-related heart stress, you can enjoy an active season while protecting your cardiovascular health.

If you want to start an exercise routine but don’t know where to start, we can help. Our team offers comprehensive evaluations and personalized plans that help you and your heart stay well.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment.