Extreme heat represents a significant risk to the health of several vulnerable groups, as warned by cardiologist Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira, professor at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), during the CNN Vital Signs.
During periods of high temperatures, people with different health conditions can suffer serious consequences, including a 7% increase in blood pressure. According to the expert, although the elderly are often mentioned as a risk group, the danger extends to many others.
“In fact, all vulnerable groups are at risk. The elderly, for example, use various medications, such as diuretics, which already cause loss of plasma volume through urine, which is worsened by dehydration caused by heat”, he explains.
Impact on chronic conditions and air quality
Heat doesn’t discriminate when it comes to aggravating, children and people with any type of chronic illness face additional challenges during heat waves. Oliveira mentions that mental illnesses, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular problems, kidney diseases, COPD and asthma tend to worsen significantly during periods of high temperature.
An aggravating factor is the deterioration of air quality during the summer. “When it’s summer, the air quality gets much worse. Pollution increases, particulate matter increases”, warns the cardiologist.
This combination creates a particularly dangerous environment for people with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
