Hot weather, the elderly need to be careful of cardiovascular disease and stroke

Hot weather causes many patients to be hospitalized, especially the elderly with heart disease and stroke.

Mr. Do Van Tinh in Coc Leu ward, Lao Cai city has a history of high blood pressure and bronchial asthma. A few days ago, due to the hot weather, he had a headache, dizziness, and a dull pain in his left chest. Immediately after the symptoms appeared, Mr. Tinh was taken to the emergency room by his family. There, the doctors and nurses determined that Mr. Tinh had signs of a stroke, so they immediately transferred him to a larger medical facility for appropriate and timely assistance. After 5 days in the hospital combined with early physical therapy, his health gradually stabilized.

Uncle Tinh shared: I had just been treated for bronchial asthma at the city hospital. After being discharged from the hospital, in the evening while eating dinner, my eyes suddenly became dizzy and I could not see anything anymore. My family took me to the emergency room. The doctors performed emergency treatment, took X-rays and concluded that I had a stroke.

Mr. Tinh is one of many patients whose health is affected by the weather during hot days. According to statistics from the Cardiovascular Center, Lao Cai General Hospital, recently, the average number of people coming to see a doctor ranges from 200 to 250 people a day. In addition, the number of hospitalized patients has also increased, about 20% higher than normal days. Among them, many elderly patients are subjective when they have underlying diseases but do not take medication as prescribed by the doctor; there are patients who are physically active and do heavy work but when they have symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest tightness, they do not go to the doctor immediately, and by the time they do, they are in a serious condition.

Treatment for patients with heat stroke.

Doctor Tran Hong Chuyen, Director of the Cardiovascular Center - Provincial General Hospital said: Recently, when the weather changes erratically, the number of hospitalized patients has increased, mainly the elderly over 75 years old, those with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, patients with a history of smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity; patients who have had a stroke are also at a very high risk of re-hospitalization.

The cause of increased cardiovascular disease and stroke is due to high temperatures putting pressure on the cardiovascular system because dehydration through sweat causes the heart rate to increase significantly and has to work harder. This can increase the risk of angina, arrhythmia, and even heart failure.

Doctor Chuyen shared more: To prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke, people, especially patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, in addition to regular health check-ups as advised by the doctor, take the right medicine, drink enough water, and avoid hot weather when exercising.

In addition, to proactively protect people's health during the hot season, the health sector recommends that people limit going outdoors, especially between 10am and 4pm. For students, limit physical exercise and sports in hot weather. People who are in low-temperature air-conditioned rooms should not suddenly go out in the sun. Wear light-colored, cool, sweat-absorbent clothes; increase the intake of green vegetables and fruits; drink at least 1.5 - 2 liters of water/day. If there are signs such as headache, dizziness, high blood pressure, they must be quickly taken to medical facilities for examination to prevent cardiovascular events that are life-threatening.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thoi-tiet-nang-nong-nguoi-cao-tuoi-can-de-phong-benh-tim-mach-dot-quy-post383360.html