High blood pressure patients need to pay attention to many things in their daily lives, not just in terms of diet. There are also many lifestyle details to be aware of. In summer, many bad habits can lead to unstable blood pressure and potential dangers. However, many people are still not familiar with the precautions for high blood pressure in summer. Let's take a look at them below.
Pay attention to hydration
Some high blood pressure patients, especially taxi drivers, long-distance bus drivers, and passengers on long bus rides, drink very little water in order to reduce the frequency of urination. This is not advisable. In summer, due to the hot weather and increased sweating, the blood can become more concentrated. In addition, driving or sitting for long periods of time can lead to blood clot formation. Therefore, high blood pressure patients should first pay attention to replenishing enough water and increase their intake of fresh fruits. People with diabetes should mainly drink clear tea or cold water. When hydrating, it is important to drink "small amounts frequently" and avoid consuming a large amount of water at once, which can put excessive burden on the heart and kidneys. In addition, high blood pressure patients are prone to stroke and heart disease in the early morning. Some studies suggest that this may be related to overnight dehydration. Therefore, it is beneficial to drink some water when waking up in the middle of the night to reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clot formation.
Avoid excessive cooling of the air conditioner
In summer, due to the heat, some people like to set the air conditioner to a very low temperature, especially when returning home from outside, hoping to cool down quickly. This sudden change from hot to cold can cause blood vessels to go from a relaxed state to a constricted state, laying the foundation for high blood pressure. Staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time and then going out into the hot weather can cause blood pressure to fluctuate. If the patient reduces the dosage of medication at this time, it will be difficult to control the condition.
Do not refuse exercise
In hot weather, sweating occurs with any movement, which makes many high blood pressure patients, especially elderly ones, reluctant to exercise. In fact, exercise can improve the elasticity of blood vessel walls and effectively relieve spasm in small blood vessels, allowing both large and small blood vessels to maintain good contraction and relaxation functions. Some people compare exercise to "exercises for blood vessels," which is not an exaggeration.
High blood pressure patients should also engage in certain activities in summer, and the key is to control the intensity and duration of exercise. For middle-aged and elderly people, the focus should be on slow-paced, low-intensity overall exercise. For example, tai chi, Mulan boxing, going up and down stairs, slow cycling, and using fitness equipment in the community, such as waist twisters and stretchers, are all good choices. It is best to exercise in the evening when the temperature is relatively low. Although the early morning is also relatively cool, the blood viscosity is higher at this time, which is the peak time for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, so it is not suitable for high blood pressure patients to exercise too much.
High blood pressure patients are prone to negligence in summer
Summer temperatures are high and there is a lot of sweating. High blood pressure patients must be careful and not neglect their condition due to the high temperature. So how can we help high blood pressure patients safely get through the summer? Let's take a look at the six measures below.
The drop in high blood pressure in summer can easily make patients negligent. Due to the high temperature in summer, blood vessels throughout the body dilate and it is easy to sweat, so the blood pressure of high blood pressure patients may decrease by about 12/8 mmHg. However, most people have decreased sleep quality in summer, which can cause autonomic nervous system disorders. After falling asleep, the vagus nerve is excited, blood vessels constrict, and nighttime blood pressure increases, which can potentially lead to hemorrhagic stroke. Excessive sweating, thickened blood, slow blood flow, and sudden drop in blood pressure can also lead to ischemic stroke.
Six measures to help ensure a safe summer
Experts suggest that high blood pressure patients and their families should take proactive measures to safely get through the summer. The following six points can be considered:
1. Monitor blood pressure regularly
Always remember the changing patterns of high blood pressure in summer and do not neglect monitoring and observing blood pressure. If possible, it is best to regularly self-measure blood pressure. If self-measurement is not possible, patients should go to a clinic to have their blood pressure measured every 3-5 days, with a maximum interval of no more than 1 week. If there are significant fluctuations in blood pressure with sudden changes in temperature, the interval should be shortened. If there is a large difference in blood pressure between day and night or irregular fluctuations, a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be conducted in the hospital to understand the pattern of blood pressure fluctuations and take appropriate measures based on the doctor's advice.
2. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
Under normal environmental temperature, a person needs about 2300 milliliters of water per day, and the total amount of water excretion is also about 2300 milliliters, maintaining a balance of water intake and excretion. However, in the hot summer environment, the amount of water excreted by the body can reach about 3300 milliliters, and during high-intensity exercise, the amount of water excreted can be as high as about 6600 milliliters. Therefore, to achieve water balance in the body, water intake should be adjusted according to the amount of excretion. Drinking plain water or low-salt water containing no more than 1% salt can effectively replenish water. Fruits and vegetables can also be consumed to replenish water.
It is important not to wait until you are thirsty to drink water. It is recommended to develop the habit of drinking water before feeling thirsty. Drink water in small amounts frequently, rather than a large amount at once. Weigh yourself before and after exercise. For every 0.5 kilogram of weight loss, drink 2-3 cups of water. Drink more water when urine is dark. Water loss also occurs during sleep, so drink a glass of water before bed and after waking up.
3. Pay attention to cooling and avoiding summer heat
The main strategy for high blood pressure patients in summer is to avoid the heat. Cooling measures, such as air conditioning, can be taken to lower the temperature and avoid the heat. Nowadays, there are many cooling methods and high blood pressure patients should use air conditioning scientifically. The room temperature should not be set too low and should be maintained at around 27-28℃. It is also worth advocating swimming, which can not only take away excessive heat from the body and have a cooling effect, but also consume excess nutrients, reduce blood lipids and blood sugar, and reduce fat storage, contributing to overall health and well-being.
4. Adjust medication according to blood pressure
In general, if blood pressure is not excessively low, the dosage of medication should be continued. Some people may have significantly lower blood pressure in summer. If they continue to take the same dosage as in winter, their blood pressure may drop too low, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, insufficient blood supply to the brain, general weakness, or even stroke or angina pectoris. Therefore, in the hot summer, high blood pressure patients should regularly measure their blood pressure and keep records. Then, timely inform the doctor of these records so that the doctor can adjust the medication dosage based on the patient's monitoring results. However, patients must not change the medication on their own.
5. Elderly people should not excessively lower blood pressure
People over 60 years old have varying degrees of arteriosclerosis, so slightly higher blood pressure is beneficial for the blood supply to organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. If age and the patient's specific condition are disregarded, and there is a blind pursuit of lowering blood pressure to "normal" levels, it will inevitably affect the function of the above-mentioned organs, resulting in more harm than benefit. People over 60 years old have varying degrees of arteriosclerosis.
6. Do not neglect lifestyle therapy
If you have developed good lifestyle habits for preventing and treating high blood pressure, do not abandon them just because blood pressure decreases in summer. You should adhere to a scientifically arranged 24-hour daily routine, eliminate risk factors, and maintain good health habits.
Such as: getting up slowly in the morning, drinking a glass of plain water or low-salt water after washing up, engaging in appropriate morning exercises, patiently defecating, consuming a light and low-salt diet, eating until 80% full, controlling weight, soaking feet or taking a warm bath before bed, maintaining a positive emotional state, etc. These habits should be adhered to throughout the year and not interrupted in summer.
Summer is a very hot season and many diseases are prone to relapse. Many people may also underestimate the risks due to the hot weather, especially those with high blood pressure. Their bodies are relatively weak, and if they are not careful, the condition may relapse.
