Hot Weather Coming

[MichaelJH]

I have just been outside for a 15-minute run (well wheelchair max'ing). The sun is really hot and after 15 minutes I felt I had had enough sun! Anyway the weather forecast for the weekend is hot and sunny with temperatures reaching 30C in many areas. So all us hearties, and others, should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and overheating. I find over about 25C my BP tends to go down as blood vessels dilate. It is also important tpo keep well hydrated - those on fluid restriction should speak to their HF nurse. Also be careful of sunburn as some of our drugs make us burn easier. I doubt I will ever be "brown as a berry" again. One person at physio had overdone it and could not use his prosthetic because of a burnt stump!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Thank you for the advice and we shall all be careful at the same time as enjoying some nice weather and I hope you have a lovely weekend x

[Blearyeyed]

That's great advice. Mad Dogs , Englishmen and Hearties should definitely keep out of the midday sun or get in the shade indoors between 11.30 -2.00.Especially useful is your tip about hydration as in hot weather it is worth checking with your GP or Specialist exactly how much you should or can increase your water intake in hot weather if you are fluid restricted.

For the non fluid restricted drinking water regularly through the day and both during , before and after any activity , or before getting up from a desk or a chair after a while can be the difference between having fun in the sun and a day of heart fluttering dizziness.

Making homemade fruit juice ice cubes or ice lollies are good to suck to keep cool and help top up your Vitamin C which is helpful to boost in the heat without the sugar.

Double checking you have your sprays and meds with you is vital in the heat , as is using sun protection , not just lotion, but hats and loose light clothing to protect your skin without overheating you.

One trick I've used for years is to keep a little spray bottle of water in my bag or pocket and a light scarf or bandana.

I keep the bottle in the fridge when I'm not using it. If I'm taking a rest on a walk or just too hot sitting outside I take the bottle and give my wrists and ankles a quick spritz of water and also do the same at the back of the neck , as that cools the whole body quicker than putting water on your head. You can dab off the excess on your scarf.

I will also spritz water on the scarf and tie it around my neck for longer lasting cooling that looks quite stylish too.

If you like it , or you are allowed to use it, adding a few drops of peppermint oil to the water is also very refreshing.

Taking more regular rests and doing your relaxation breathing is important to cope especially if you are doing physical activity or at a social event. Just taking those few minutes every hour will help you keep going all day without the days of feeling horrible afterwards.

Out and about , on the beach etc . It's good to take a good seat and a parasol with you , if I'm on a walk in hot weather I sometimes take a light stool in a bag with me , well I'm lucky and my OH carries it but it's useful if I need to sit and there is nothing about to rest on.

If you are on holiday choosing to plan your day doing the indoor activities in air conditioned buildings during the heat of the day and doing outdoor activities or going to the beach early morning or late afternoon is more comfortable. Morning or early evening is also better for the outdoor exercisers in the heat.

It's also good to plan you food and rest breaks on a day out or on holiday by checking on Trip Advisor for places where you would want to stop for a drink or food with comfy sheltered seating and things you can have on your diet and plan your route around to get to them at sensible intervals.

At night or indoors , keep air circulating with open doors or safely open windows and try to use light bedding . A hand fan can be useful short term but I had advice about fans that they basically just circulate the hot air so they aren't really worth the noise and extra electricity costs.

Last , if you are sweating a lot you aren't just losing water but salt so even if you are on a low salt diet you may need to think about an isotonic drink or electrolytes to have a few sips of after exercise, especially if you find you are getting dizzy or confused regularly in the heat.

Enjoy the weather while we have it , Bee

[Thanksnhs]

23 in Scotland at the moment, we are not used to it up here, heading for the garden to sit under the parasol

[Lezzers]

We're lying low here, not a great time to be living in a coastal village with meds that make you burn easily!! The sea breezes help keep it a bit cooler so breathing isn't too much for a struggle if hubby stays out of the garden!! I think the BBQ has been postponed though!

[RaquelSpain]

I live in Spain and make sure I do everything at a slower pace, drink plenty of water and eat foods that are high in fluid and nutrients. We get 40C+ in summer and the only way to deal with the heat is to avoid the sun, stay in the shade as much as possible and dress in cotton as man made fabrics just do not breath.

[Jetcat in reply to RaquelSpain]

I wish I lived in Spain. I’d rather seek shelter from the sun in Spain than spend ten months of the year seeking shelter from rain over here.🤪

[RaquelSpain in reply to Jetcat]

Me too. But we do get rain, it has been terrible through May with rain and hail, many places have had really bad flooding, damage to crops and yet other places are in a drought. Strange weather for the time of year.

[Jetcat in reply to RaquelSpain]

I hope it settles down.? I’m going to almeria in 3weeks. I’m not planning on packing my umbrella.?😎

[RaquelSpain in reply to Jetcat]

There was one day last week I went out in a coat and jeans and boots. Today in shorts, the weather is just crazy. Next week (mid week) we have torrential storms forecast. I am just south of Alicante so it should be nice now.

[Jetcat in reply to RaquelSpain]

wow, that has really surprised me.

[Cee-Cee1]

Thank you for a timely post, MichaelJH - I think we can sometimes tend to forget about the various effects too much heat can have on us.

[gladliz]

That sounds extremely painful, but I'm assuming that you are referring to their arm of leg?😊😊

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to gladliz]

It was their leg stump. Quite high up as they have a AKA (above knee amputation). It was quite red with peeling skin!

[Rainfern in reply to MichaelJH]

😯

[Newstart3]

Thanks for this timely reminder ... take care 🙂

[Rainfern]

Thank you Michael. I have to cover in factor 50 and big sun hat even for short spells in the sunshine. On hot days I soak a silk scarf/tie in cool water and wear that round my neck, at night a cold flannel on my brow.

[DoggieMum]

Thanks for the timely reminder

[Handel]

Wise words as always Michael. Best wishes. Jan xxx

[MelB51]

yesterday I could barely breath and my oxygen level would not go above 82. All quite distressing. It came back as it got cooler in the evening. I have heart failur, COPD and kidney disease amongst other ailments so I am very vulnerable to temperature these days. I used to follow the sun and even still have a house in the south of France but like you, my sunbathing days are a distant memory!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MelB51]

Have you got an air conditioning unit? A friend with asthma, and a wife prone to bronchitis, couldn't live without units in the living room and bedroom.

[MelB51 in reply to MichaelJH]

no, not here. We've managed using a wet towel with the fan blowing through it…primitive but fairly effective! We are normally in our French house by now which has full AC but with Brexit restrictions and a few health appointments coming up this month, we are still in the UK and suffering!!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

It's already 26C here and rising. Mid-afternoon might hit 30C! 🌞😎

[Smitty1956]

Our weather here has been cool for June. Temperatures have been in the low to mid-70s F I love this weather! But, we have not had rain in about 3 weeks.

The upside to our mini-drought is that I am getting more exercise carrying buckets of water to the flowers that I have planted! Fingers crossed, we may get some rain on Monday.

[1234_6 in reply to Smitty1956]

Yes Smitty, don't exhaust yourself carrying too luch water for the plants.

[Smitty1956]

I agree with the others on the forum—your post is timely and a useful reminder about the heat and sun ☀️. Thank you, Michael!

I have found that the heat makes it so much more difficult to breathe since my HA. Many people in the US are also dealing with the smoke coming from the Canadian wildfires. The smoke is not bad where I live (at least for now), but everything seems to bother my breathing.

I hope that you have a lovely day where you are!

[Nadeje]

Hi MichaelJH,thanks for the post and the reminder that the time of the year ( the dreaded summer months as I view it) is upon us!😱☀️☀️☀️🌡🥵🥵🥵

I am already suffering and stuck indoors.

The only time I venture out is early morning...have done my shopping today between 8 and 9am...

It is 28°C as I'm writing this in Liverpool.

I had to stay indoors almost whole week anyway , due to dental infection following crown fitting on one of my bottom teeth on Tuesday morning. That evening I started suffering with the most excruciating pain and had not slept since .😪

To cut the story short, on Wednesday I resembled Marlon Brando in The Godfather (only on one side of my lower jaw though)....couldn't get appointment to see the dentist...by Thursday I looked like The Elephant Man! I demanded and eventually was seen by the dentist, who prescribed antibiotics. I'm taking co -codamol 15mg yet still suffering pain...anxious about this infection coursing in my bloodstream which could possibly do some damage to my heart( next month it'll be 3 years since my AVR)

Only today the atb kicked in🤔😵‍💫

Thank goodness for the face masks!

I had to wear one obvs when I ventured out, also I couldn't put my dentures in my deformed and sore mouth! Not a good look!!!🤪

So, at the moment the swelling is slowly going down, I am indoors, out of the reach of sun rays, hydrating and resting. No chance of sun burn!

Us hearties will have to endure couple of months of discomfort and anxiety..

I hope you and everyone here will keep cool and safe! I wish for autumn ! 🙏🤞🤞🤞❤

Monica

[MelB51 in reply to Nadeje]

I am in Liverpool too and have found breathing so difficult.

[Skeets]

This is my first summer post MI and finding I have a congenital heart defect.I was really concerned about how I was feeling and put it down to hayfever and recent dental work.

I feel as if the life is being sucked out of me, no energy and exhausted but can’t sleep well. Blood pressure slightly higher than normal , as was my sleeping heart rate raised.

Now realise this could be my new summer normal. Thanks for the post

[Smitty1956]

Lol! That rain sure sounds good to me right now. It is about 82 degrees F here and sunny/hot. I have slowed down today on the buckets of 💦—maybe water my plants this evening when it might be cooler.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Well the heat snookered my plans. A week ago I had a video call with a friend over breakfast. I was doing my low GI and cholesterol lowering porridge while they did eggs, bacon and tomato. When they ran their phone over it my mouth watered and I thought I will go with that in a week and got all the ingredients in my supermarket delivery . Waking in a flat at 24C and rising I just could not face it!