Heat, Humidity and Heart Failure: What ACLS Nursing Practitioners Need to Know

People suffer from heat-related illnesses when their bodies’ temperature control systems are overloaded. Individuals suffering from heart failure are more susceptible to these illnesses than others, and extreme heat and humidity can cause additional heart health problems.

As a nurse practitioner, you will deal with many patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. Here are some facts that all nursing practitioners should know about heat, humidity and heart failure.

Heat-Related Illnesses
Extended exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is a milder heat-related illness. The Centers for Disease Control identified these signs and symptoms for heat exhaustion:

Heavy sweating
Paleness
Muscle cramps
Tiredness/weakness
Dizziness/headache
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting

Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness that can cause death or disability if an individual does not receive emergency treatment. According to the CDC, signs and symptoms for heat stroke include:

An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
Rapid, strong pulse
Throbbing headache/dizziness/nausea
Confusion
Unconsciousness

Heat-Related Illnesses and Heart Failure

It has been long understood that individuals with heart failure are more likely to be affected by extreme heat. But a study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found a possible explanation why.
The body has two main mechanisms for cooling – sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. Researchers found that one of the two mechanisms, increased blood flow to the skin, was lacking in individuals with heart failure. The skin/blood flow response in those with heart failure was significantly impaired by as much as 50 percent in comparison to healthy individuals.

Increased blood flow to skin helps draw out heat from the surface of the skin. The average person may pump three times as much blood as normal in hotter temperatures.

Humidity as a Factor

Studies have also shown that humidity contributes to heat-related illnesses and complications for people with heart conditions. A study from Greek researchers also showed that heat and humidity increase the risk of heart attack for individuals.

By analyzing heart attack death rates from hotter and colder months, researchers were able to determine that heat and humidity influenced the number of people that suffered from heart attacks.

ACLS Nursing at Health Ed Solutions

Health Ed Solutions is the leading online provider of courses for ACLS nursing certification. These courses are aimed toward healthcare professionals. Learn more about the ACLS cert and ACLS test.

Source:
High Humidity Boosts Heart Attack Risk
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20060712/high-humidity-boosts-heart-attack-risk