Summer heat and thrombosis: risks and prevention

By Cristiano Antonino On Jun 16, 2022

With the arrival of summer heat, symptoms of poor circulation become more acute, and those affected by thrombosis sometimes mistake the problem for other diseases

Thrombosis affects many people every year, in turn causing diseases such as strokes, heart attacks and embolism.

A situation that becomes even more dangerous with the arrival of the first warm weather.

RESCUE RADIO IN THE WORLD? VISIT THE EMS RADIO BOOTH IN EMERGENCY EXPO

What is thrombosis

Thrombosis is a serious condition that occurs when blood clots (thrombus) block blood vessels, preventing them from flowing normally through the circulatory system.

This is a health hazard because the clot can either block blood flow or break off and move somewhere else in the body, creating an obstruction.

When the blood clot blocks a vein (which carries blood from the body to the heart) we talk about venous thrombosis instead, when the blood clot blocks an artery (which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body) we talk about arterial thrombosis.

If a moving clot gets stuck in a critical area (heart, brain, lungs) it can cause life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

How heat affects blood circulation

With the arrival of summer, we are exposed to higher temperatures, which, as is often the case, can make circulation slower and more difficult.

In fact, in hot weather, veins tend to naturally dilate forcing the body to fight gravity harder to circulate blood to the heart.

As a result, blood can pool in the lower legs and damage the veins, exacerbating the symptoms of poor circulation.

This is how varicose veins and thrombosis problems can develop.

TRAINING: VISIT THE BOOTH OF DMC DINAS MEDICAL CONSULTANTS IN EMERGENCY EXPO

The symptoms of thrombosis in summer

The symptoms by which thrombosis generally manifests itself depend on the size of the clot and its location; they often form in the legs but can also form in any other part of the body, presenting symptoms such as:

pain, heat, swelling in one leg (usually in the calf or inner thigh)
numbness or weakness on one side of the body
pain in the chest
sudden change in mental status.

At the onset of these symptoms, it is a good idea to consult your doctor immediately, who will prescribe an echocolordoppler.

One must be very careful because these symptoms, being very general, are sometimes associated with other problems, such as inflammation of tendons or muscles, lumbago, pneumonia, or severe migraine.

Thrombosis: prevention and advice in summer

Prevention comes first and foremost from lifestyles, and to prevent thrombosis episodes in summer, experts recommend:

follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains and instead low in salty foods and saturated fats;
hydrate well and drink plenty of water to keep circulation active;
do light and constant physical activity, such as walking or swimming, which will help keep active and combat the risks attached to being sedentary;
assess the predisposition in the family to hypertension to intensify blood circulation checks;
for pregnant women, use elastic stockings to help blood return quickly to the heart, decreasing the likelihood of deep veins in the legs losing elasticity.

Venous Thrombosis: From Symptoms To New Drugs

COVID-19, The Mechanism Of Arterial Thrombus Formation Discovered: The Study

The Incidence Of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) In Patients With MIDLINE

Deep Vein Thrombosis Of The Upper Limbs: How To Deal With A Patient With Paget-Schroetter Syndrome

Knowing Thrombosis To Intervene On The Blood Clot

Venous Thrombosis: What It Is, How To Treat It And How To Prevent It

Pulmonary Thromboembolism And Deep Vein Thrombosis: Symptoms And Signs