Heat - It Takes Time To Recover - British Heart Fou...

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Heat - It Takes Time To Recover

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
14 Replies

The heat wave broke at lunchtime and the rain arrived. Despite predictons of the high twenties this afternoon it never got above 22/23. However, I still feel rather washed out and have a muggy headache! Why is this?

Usually after a hot day that tends to stress our bodies to a greater or lesser extent one recovers overnight. When I visited Uluru in the noughties the daytime temperature was about 45C dropping to the low teens overnight. With the low humidity it was easy to get a good night's sleep. However, the heatwave we had was marked by exceptionally high (often staying above 20C) overnight temperatures with high humidity. Add a few storms and many of us did not get good quality restorative sleep. We need to give ourselves a few days to recover. Did plenty unless on restricted fluid as you may be slightly dehydrated and unaware of it. Have a good weekend! 😎

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
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14 Replies
Fredders profile image
Fredders

Hi Michael, I get headaches and sometimes migraines when the weather is muggy. I actually enjoy having thunderstorms cos it clears the air and eases my head.

Wendy

Suzy1954 profile image
Suzy1954

I’m the same. Still feeling washed out even though it’s a lot cooler. Struggling to breathe so phoned GP and turns out I have a chest infection! So with that and the heat it’s not surprising I am so breathless. Interestingly while I was there nurse took my pulse and I explained I have AF. She said I don’t feel any arrhythmia! I’ve had persistent AF for 6 years 🤔

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to Suzy1954

I was seen by GP trainee once prior to consultation. Told him I had Paroxysmal AF which is very evident to me if having an episode. He said my pulse was irregular "as expected". It was not irregular at all.!! I do have a variation with inhaling and exhaling which I understand is a very healthy sign!!

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18

Another useful post, Michael. I was wondering about recovery. I have been wakened since 1-30 and I always find it difficult to decide whether or not I should force myself to exercise. What do other people think?

Janma123 profile image
Janma123 in reply to isobelhannah18

Don’t force yourself to do anything for a few days - just drink a wide range of fluids and relax until it cools down!

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18 in reply to Janma123

Thanks for replying and for the advice.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to isobelhannah18

You need to listen to your body. Nobody should exercise when unwell (colds/flu/etc.). Not bring elite athletes we cannot access personal trainers and nutritionists for advice. Obviously if now cooler weather has arrived and you still feel below par in a few days give your GP a call.

Neptune54 profile image
Neptune54

I find hydration to be the key. I normally just drink tea during the day but during the recent heat I was drinking water endlessly. Perhaps that's why I was sweating so much.

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18 in reply to Neptune54

thanks for the advice.

Janma123 profile image
Janma123 in reply to Neptune54

I had to have a ‘clear fluid’ day yesterday in preparation for a procedure today - I was dreading it but drinking a mixture of fruit juice, cool black tea, peppermint tea, lucozade and water left me feeling great. Just water leaves me feeling sick!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

A bit off topic but it shows how weather changes. On Thursday France had record temperatures. Yesterday the stage of the Tour de France was cut short by a hailstorm (snowploughs out) and a mud slide. Today's is also shortened because of adverse weather at the finish.

Today's weather is reminiscent of (my) school holidays! 😁

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

The heatwave has certainly broken here, the forecast is 17 degrees and rain all day today and Sunday!

As it was the first really hot weather here since I had my heart attack last December, and I've read loads about how hot weather disrupts you if you have heart issues I was very curious to see how I copied with the heat ,and a little nervous that I might struggle, as my holidays have always been to a hot climate and I worried that doing that in future might be curtailed.

Happily I think I managed OK. pretty much carried on as normal, and even went for a walk on Thursday, admittedly along the riverside so no hills, so all in all quite happy with that result.

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18

thanks for the advice

Thank goodness it’s cooled down, the hot weather is draining at the best of times, just when I had got rid of the dark circles around my eyes there back. 🥺 😉

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