August in southwest Oklahoma brings triple-digit afternoons. If you’re managing a heart condition, that heat is more than just uncomfortable. Summer heat and your heart health are closely connected. Lawton’s average high climbs to around 102 degrees this month. This is especially risky if you have heart failure, arrhythmia, or a history of heart attack. A hot afternoon can turn into a real medical emergency fast. Here’s what you should know to stay safe. And here’s when it’s time to call the team at Memorial Health Heart and Vascular.
Why Oklahoma’s Hottest Month Is Tough on Your Heart
Lawton typically sees daily highs between 97 and 105 degrees in August. Overnight lows barely dip below 70. That kind of heat doesn’t just make you sweat. It changes how your entire cardiovascular system works. Nationally, extreme heat contributes to more than 1,200 deaths each year. Researchers expect heat-related cardiovascular deaths to keep rising in the decades ahead. That’s exactly why summer heat and your heart health deserve attention all August long. Don’t wait for a heat advisory to hit the news.
How Heat Puts Extra Strain on Your Cardiovascular System
When temperatures climb, your body sends more blood to your skin to help you cool off. Your heart has to pump faster and harder to keep up. At the same time, sweating causes fluid loss. That fluid loss lowers your blood volume and can drop your blood pressure. For a healthy heart, this is a manageable, temporary adjustment. For a heart already under strain, it’s a much bigger ask. It can trigger a heart attack, an arrhythmia episode, or acute heart failure.
Who Faces the Highest Risk
Some people need to be more careful than others when summer heat and your heart health intersect. Talk with your provider about your personal risk if you fall into one of these groups:
- You’ve been diagnosed with heart failure. Research shows this is the most heat-vulnerable group
- You have an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
- You’ve had a previous heart attack
- You’re 65 or older
- You take diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers. These can affect how your body handles heat and fluid loss
Never stop or adjust a heart medication on your own. If the heat has you rethinking your prescriptions, call your provider first.
Know the Warning Signs
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke look different. Knowing the difference can save a life.
Heat exhaustion warning signs:
- Headache
- Cool or pale skin
- Weak pulse
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Fainting
If you notice these signs, move to a cool space, sip water, and rest.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Watch for:
- Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
- Hot, dry skin
- Strong, rapid pulse
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Call 911 immediately if you notice these signs in yourself or someone else.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Heart Health
When it comes to summer heat and your heart health, protection doesn’t take anything complicated. Just a few consistent habits go a long way.
- Skip outdoor activities between noon and 3 p.m., when the sun is strongest
- Choose lightweight, light-colored, breathable clothing
- Drink water steadily throughout the day. Skip caffeine and alcohol, since both speed up dehydration
- Take breaks in air conditioning or shade every chance you get
- Keep taking your heart medications as prescribed unless your doctor says otherwise
- If you have heart failure, watch your fluid intake closely. Too much or too little water can both cause problems. Ask your provider what amount is right for you
Staying Heart-Healthy Through Summer
Oklahoma’s heat isn’t going anywhere soon. Neither is the strain it puts on your heart. That’s why late summer is the right time for a heart checkup, especially if those warning signs sound familiar. Don’t wait for the heat to push your body further than it should go.
The team at Memorial Health Heart and Vascular can review your medications and talk through your personal heat risk. They’ll help you build a plan that keeps you safe for the rest of the season. Call 580.250.4278 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
Summer heat and your heart health are connected in ways that are easy to underestimate until symptoms show up. Know your personal risk and watch for the warning signs. Lean on simple habits like hydration, shade, and steady medication use. Your heart deserves that kind of care all year long.
Resources:
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/when-the-heat-rises-so-do-heart-risks-what-you-need-to-know
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-the-heat-can-affect-your-heart
Disclaimer:
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Use of the information obtained by the Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.
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