Keeping cool in the heatwave is a challenge (Image: Getty)
We’re all struggling in the heatwave which has been blasting the UK this week, with some areas predicted to see temperatures hit 40 degrees today, Thursday. It’s uncomfortable enough for all of us – but for those with health problems, it’s particularly problematic. The hot weather can cause problems such as dehydration and heatstroke, which can cause serious issues for people with health struggles.
Now one cardiology expert has outlined a series of tips for how people with heart problems can stay safe during the heatwave. Angela Hartley has more than 49,000 followers on TikTok, where she regularly dishes out useful tips for people recovering from heart attacks, surgery, and other cardiac issues.
“If you’ve got a heart condition, listen up. There’s some key things you can do this week to stay cool and stay safe and keep your heart safe,” she said.
“Number one: Take it much easier. If you normally commute in and you know you’re gonna be on the tube or the train and it always gets stuck and you always get overheated at the best of times, work from home.
“Number two: Make sure your bedding is nice and cool. Peel back those layers today. Keep your blinds down, keep your curtains closed, windows closed until about 11pm tonight.” Angela said temperatures should begin to drop around 11pm, at which point you should “open up everything, get that air in, get the fan on, circulate that cooler air.”
Angela’s third tip might sound unconventional, but is undeniably tempting on such a hot day. “You can also put something in the fridge or freezer that’s gonna be cool to wear later that day,” she said. “So put your pyjamas in, put your T-shirt in the fridge. Sounds crazy, but it’ll be so nice to put on later.”
She also advised keeping an eye on your urine, saying it should be “almost clear”. “If it’s a really dark colour, you are likely dehydrated, you need to up your water intake,” she said. “Try and stay clear of the caffeine. Caffeine has a slight diuretic effect – it’s going to make you pee more, it’s going to dehydrate you quicker.”
Hot weather can also cause your blood pressure to drop as the body widens blood vessels to release heat – and for people with heart conditions, this can be particularly risky. Angela’s advice to mitigate this is to eat a few salty snacks, which will raise blood pressure back up again.
“Things like olives are really, really good, because they’re quite high in salt,” she said. “If you do feel a little bit woozy, take your blood pressure. If it is on the low side, have an extra glass of water. Take that blood pressure again. Make sure you’re not going up and down quickly, not making sudden rapid postural changes so that you don’t get dizzy.”
When will the heatwave end?
The scorching temperatures are expected to continue through the next couple of days, before it begins to cool down at the weekend. The Met Office said: “Thursday will see the peak of the heat for many, though those further east will retain extreme heat on Friday and Saturday and could continue to see further impacts, which has resulted in Amber warnings.
“The far southeast will retain the warmth the longest, though there should be a climb-down in figures by Saturday, with peaks around 32 degrees likely. Next week is likely to see a change to more of a westerly influence on the UK’s weather, with a return to more average temperatures for the time of year and a mixture of winds and rain, particularly for those in the North West.”
By Sunday, temperatures could be around 15 degrees cooler, with Cardiff forecast 20 degrees, and London expected to see highs of 26 degrees.
However, the red weather warning has been extended through Friday for London and part of south-east England. A Met Office spokesperson said: “Significant disruption to daily life is likely and the public should take every effort to make precautions and adapt their daily routines where possible to cope with these levels of heat, which up to now have been extremely rare for the UK.”
