Why Does Monsoon Season Put Extra Strain On Your Heart? Expert Explains

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Monsoon season can place significant additional strain on the cardiovascular system due to rising humidity levels, temperature fluctuations, and seasonal infections. Even though rain brings relief from the scorching summer heat, the heart may be forced to work harder due to these environmental shifts to maintain oxygen levels and normal body temperature. This can lead to spikes in blood pressure, rhythm disturbances, and cardiac events.

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We spoke to Dr Ramesh Natarajan, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, who explained the link between monsoon and heart health.

Why Monsoon Impacts the Heart

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• Humidity Stress: Due to high air moisture, sweat evaporation slows down, forcing the heart to pump more blood to the skin to cool the body, thus elevating the resting heart rate and the overall cardiovascular workload.
• Blood Vessel Constriction: Sudden drop in temperature or getting wet causes the blood vessels to narrow. This elevates blood pressure, putting stress on people with hypertension.
• Oxygen Level Decrease: Humidity and cloudiness can lead to a subtle decrease in oxygen levels in an optimal manner. This, in turn, triggers breathlessness or chest tightness in heart patients who are at risk.
• Stress Due to Infections: Increased viral infections like influenza, dengue, and water-borne diseases during monsoon season demand rigorous immune responses. Fever, physical stress, and inflammation put stress on the heart.
• Hidden Dehydration: The cool outdoor temperature leads people to skip drinking water. Dehydration thickens blood volume and trigger electrolyte imbalances, which can directly disturb normal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Pre-existing Conditions at Higher Risk

The following specific conditions require aggressive management during the rainy months:

Practical Measures to Protect Your Heart

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• Monitor Vitals Regularly: Blood pressure should be checked at least twice a week. Environmental shifts can cause abrupt fluctuations that may require temporary medication dosage adjustments by the doctor.
• Never Skip Medications: Medcines cannot be missed. The usual cardiac medications must be kept at home.
• Exercise At Home: Rain should not be an obstruction for physical exercises. One can exercise in the form of light yoga, stretching, or walking in one place for half an hour.
• Follow a heart-healthy diet: Warm and thoroughly cooked food like oats, lentils, and steamed vegetables is good for the heart. Sodium and street food should be avoided to prevent quick fluid retention and a sudden surge in blood pressure.
• Priority should be given to pure hydration: It is recommended to consume between 8-10 glasses of purified or boiled water every day irrespective of whether one feels thirsty or not.
• Medical Assistance Required Immediately: Monsoon symptoms should never be taken lightly by anyone. If a person has sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, too much sweating, or being lightheaded, he/she should call for assistance immediately.
• Watch out for Sudden Physical Activity: This can include lifting something very heavy, running on the wet ground or climbing up stairs quickly.

Know the Warning Signs

• Chest pain or tightness
• Discomfort in neck, jaw, or arms
• Sweating without exertion
• Shortness of breath
• Light-headedness or nausea
• Avoid use of tobacco and alcohol
• Tobacco and alcohol disrupt blood flow and immunity. Abstain from them during monsoon, since your body is already at risk.

Which Foods Should Heart Patients Avoid During Monsoon?

Diet contributes significantly to heart health, particularly during monsoon when digestion is slow, and the potential to get an infection is greater. One should avoid the following if you have cardiac complications.

1. Oily and Deep-Fried Food

Foods that are high in fat cause the body to retain water, slow down digestion, produce swelling, make you sluggish, and add stress to your heart.

2. Excess Salt

Avoid packaged food, pickles, and canned soups, which have a high salt content. Excess salt creates water retention, leading to an expanding blood volume and elevating BP.

3. Unwashed or Raw Green Leafy Vegetables

They should be washed and cleaned properly and well-cooked before eating.

4. Street Food or Cut Fruits

Avoid eating outdoors during the rainy season, particularly salads, chaat, or juices. Unhygienic water is a great risk for heart patients with poor immunity.

5. Caffeine and Sweetened Beverages

They dry out the body and can lead to blood pressure surges. Substitute them with warm herbal teas, lemon water, or soups.

Heart-Healthy Foods for the Rainy Season?

• Boiled
• Oats, brown rice, whole wheat food items
• Pulses and legumes
• Homemade soups with ginger, garlic, and turmeric
• Fruits like apples, pomegranate, pears, and guava, which should be thoroughly washed.
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, flaxseed, walnuts) should be taken in small quantities.
• They are high in antioxidants, fibre, and healthy fats that decrease inflammation and protect the heart.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.