Extreme heat: see the groups most at risk of health complications

This week, Brazil is facing a powerful heat wave, with temperatures 5ºC above average for several Brazilian states. O suffocating heat it should remain until the end of summer, on March 20th, according to Climatempo.

As a result, some groups of people are at greater risk of suffering health complications due to high temperatures. This is because extreme heat can cause changes in the body.

According to cardiologist Fernando Nobre, the elderly are among the main groups at risk of serious health complications due to intense heat. “As a rule, they already have heart problems and, with this increase in temperature, the drop in pressure and circulatory changes can be more significant in this population”, he says, to CNN .

The expert explains that extreme temperatures, like those faced by Brazil recently, lead to dilation of blood vessels and arteries . “When this happens, the pressure tends to drop and this drop, if it occurs frequently, can lead to a deficiency in the blood supply to the organs”, explains Nobre.

Furthermore, sweat resulting from heat causes the body loses important fluids and minerals for the proper functioning of the body, in the face of a compensation mechanism to alleviate the increase in body temperature. “In this attempt to compensate for the heat, the tendency is for the number of heart beats per minute to increase, leading to arrhythmia,” he says.

Children are also among the population at highest risk

In addition to the elderly, Children are also at greater risk of complications due to high temperatures . As Nobre explains, little ones still do not have complete self-control to drink liquids during the day, making them more susceptible to dehydration — especially those who spend long hours playing outdoors.

“Parents and caregivers must be careful to replace children with adequate fluids and ensure that they are hydrated”, reinforces the cardiologist.

Furthermore, it is essential Instruct children not to play outdoors at times when the sun is strongest , between 10am and 4pm. O use of sunscreen It should also be a rule on these high temperature days.

Other important precautions, both for children and the elderly, are:

• Wear a cap, hat and sunglasses when going out;
• Wear light and fresh clothes;
• Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the day;
• Take cold showers;
• Avoid crowds and prefer airy environments;
• Do not exercise at times with a higher incidence of UV rays.