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Pure Heart In-Home Services
August is “Safety Month,” and while we take the time to consider all of the preventative ways to protect ourselves, we often overlook the adverse effects that these hot summer months have on our cardiovascular systems. This is especially true for seniors.
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), “When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention.”
With weather approaching the upper 90’s and on some days, triple digits, the heat can be unbearable at times and downright dangerous, this is particularly the case when we factor in high levels of humidity.
Our bodies self-regulate heat by sweating and also through radiating heat back into the atmosphere. When we sweat, we perspire potassium and sodium. Both of these minerals help to control nerve function, water balance, and heart rhythm. If you suffer from any heart conditions, the loss of these minerals can be detrimental to your cardiac health.
Sweating can quickly escalate into dehydration; therefore, it’s critical to stay hydrated with cold water, not sugary drinks because sugar leads to further adverse effects by slowing the passage of water from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. If we become dehydrated, we increase our risk of raising our blood pressure, heart palpitations, and limiting blood flow.
When our bodies are hot, the skin radiates heat into the air to normalize our body temperature. When the air is sweltering, our bodies can no longer reduce its high temperature this way, as it has nowhere to radiate the heat into or to take in cooler air from, as the temperature is greater than your your bodies. Warm weather makes the heart pump faster, which requires more oxygen. When it’s hot, and we can’t cool down, or breathe efficiently, we complicate the heart’s normal functioning, by putting undue stress on its muscle contractions.
The warning signs of heat stroke or other heat-related disorders are:
• Muscle cramping and twitching
• Heat rash
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Falling and stumbling
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s imperative to get to a cool place, drink cool water and call 911 if your symptoms persist.
Ways to stay cool and avoid the heat-related heart issues
• Drink extra water
• Talk to your physician about reducing your diuretic pills
• DO NOT exercise, garden, or walk around in the heat
• Avoid the hottest times of the day (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)
• Eat plenty of cooling foods like vegetables and fruit
• Stay in an air-conditioned room
• Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks
If you have any heart concerns, it’s important to contact your physician for a checkup and to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist for diagnostic testing. If you are having symptoms of heart failure, DON’T HESITATE. Call 911 immediately.
Pure Heart In-Home Services
Pure Heart In-Home Services is a SWFL based, trusted non-medical provider. Serving Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hendry and Collier Counties, We specialize in care and daily living assistance to an array of individuals. Whether you need daily or weekly assistance, our care givers will provide an individualized service that fit your needs in the comfort of your own home.
We have experienced, licensed staff who are passionate about giving genuine care to our clients. Through our extensive screening process, we assure that our caregivers are in line with our core values. We always make sure to give our clients the best possible quality of home care services through our highly trained and experienced team.
Who We Are
Lakeyatta Hayward, MSW
Lakeyatta is a native Ft. Myers, FL. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. She has six years of experience working with the elderly. She also received certifications as a home health aide, in CPR and as a Family Self-
Sufficiency Coordinator. She’s a devoted Christian, and mother. Lakeyatta ensures that Pure Heart In-Home Services will provide a level of care that ensure customer satisfaction. The care will be identical to the quality service provided to her beloved grandmother.
Camesha Young
Camesha is a Native of Ft. Myers, FL. She has five years’ experience as a caregiver. She is certified with the Dept. of Children and Families in childcare. She also received certifications in CPR and first Aid, along with certifications in Dementia. She is a Christian and a mother of 3. Her passion is and has always been helping others. We at Pure Heart In-Home Services will give you and your family the security of knowing that they are in the best care.
For more information, please call (239) 202-3547 or (239) 200-0344
Pure Heart In-Home Services
13410 Parker Commons Blvd. Suite 105 B
Fort Myers, FL 33912
(239) 202-3547 or (239) 200-0344
pureheartinhomeservices.com
