Keep your Heart Cool

Finally, summer is here again.  There is just so much food to choose from, especially those fattening dishes.  Furthermore, it is so hot that no one wants to do anything to heat up even more.  No one wants to break a sweat by exercising your entire body, so everyone just gives their mouth a workout causing a burden on your heart!

Dr. ApichaiPongpatananurak, a cardiologist at Samitivej Hospital, recommends that you start taking proper care of your health during the summer.  During summertime, people tend to get dehydrated causing the ventricles to work harder.  The veins then become dilated and not enough blood gets pumped up to brain, which, in turn, causes fainting spells.  If a person has heart disease, it may cause arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat).

Some blood pressure medication contains diuretics.  Therefore, excessive sweating or not enough consumption of water may lower your blood pressure too much, resulting in black outs.  However, you can look for signs such as dizziness when changing from a sitting to a standing position. 

The best way to prevent this is to drink lots of water and avoid eating salty food during the summer.  Many people believe that sweet drinks will help them feel fresher, but, actually, plain water is the best refreshment.

Not only do you lose more water in the summer, you also lose potassium through sweating which leads to cramping.  If you have recurring cramps in the same place everyday, it may be that your muscles and nerves are constantly being stimulated.  Please consult your physician immediately.

People who are at risk during the summer are:

1. If you’re a diabetic who don’t exercise during the summer and overeat, you may worsen your diabetes and gain more weight, which could lead to heart disease.  The best thing is to go to an air-conditioned fitness center or take up swimming to prevent excessive water loss.
2. If you’re one of those who love outdoor sports such as running or playing golf, your body may not be able to release enough heat.  You may also have fainting spells and your kidney will work over time to remove wastes.

 What you should do during the summer:

1. Watch what you eat!  Don’t get carried away with all the summer fruits that are high in cholesterol and triglycerides.
2. Exercise regularly, but avoid outdoor sports.
3. Do not over-exercise.
4. Drink lots of water.  Normally, a person should consume 1,600 – 1,800 cc of water per day.  During the summer, water intake should be increased to 2,000 – 2,500 cc per day.

Fruit Temptations

Yes, summer has lots of delicious fruits, but they contain high amount of sugar and carbohydrates, the enemies of diabetics and accomplices of weight gain.  Durians, mangoes, and jackfruits are loaded with both of them.  Bananas are beneficial to growing kids, but adult diabetics should avoid them as well.  Dr. Apichai recommends that you stick with watermelons because they are low in sugar, but have lots of water, and are very refreshing.