Your heart needs to work harder than usual when it’s hot out to keep up with the demands of cooling your body. If you have a heart condition, that extra strain can cause you to experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling. But what if you notice these symptoms and don’t already have a diagnosed heart condition?

It could be a sign that it’s time to get your heart checked out. Here are answers to some common questions about the connection between the heat and your heart.

How does the heat affect your heart?

When temperatures rise, your heart plays a key role in cooling your body down. Your blood vessels widen to increase blood flow to your skin so you can sweat and this causes your heart to pump faster and harder. If you have heart disease, heart failure or high blood pressure, this can put a strain on your heart and can also make it harder for your body to cool down. Hot weather can also cause you to be more dehydrated, which makes your heart work harder because your body has less fluid to circulate.

When your heart doesn’t work as it should, it already struggles to keep up with your daily needs so these added demands can cause noticeable symptoms. You may have swelling in your feet, legs or hands. You may feel weak, dizzy or lightheaded. You may be unusually tired. Or you may experience shortness of breath or chest pain. These are all signs that your heart is under stress.

Are there other reasons the heat might affect you more if you have a heart condition?

People with heart conditions often take medications that can affect how their body tolerates the heat. Some people take diuretics, which help your body get rid of extra salt and fluid, but can cause you to become dehydrated faster. Other common heart medications, such as beta blockers and some blood pressure meds, may keep your heart from beating faster, which it needs to do when it’s hot to help cool you down.

What should you do in the heat if you have a heart condition?

Just because you have a heart condition doesn’t mean you can’t go out when it’s hot. But it does mean you should take extra precautions to keep yourself healthier when temps start to soar.

Here are a few things that can help you weather the heat:

• Don’t go out during the hottest times of the day.
• Avoid strenuous activities when it’s hot out, especially if you have any symptoms.
• Take breaks from the heat when possible by heading indoors to an air-conditioned space.
• Wear light, loose clothing and a hat when you’re outside.
• Drink a lot of water, even if you’re not thirsty.
• Ask your doctor how your medications might affect your ability to tolerate the heat.
• Pay attention to your body. If you start having any symptoms, get out of the heat. If symptoms continue, get medical help right away.

What should you do if you have heat-related symptoms but don’t have a known heart condition?

If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling in your feet, legs or hands whenever it’s hot out, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. These symptoms may indicate that you have a heart issue, even if you haven’t yet been diagnosed. If your symptoms are severe, it may be a sign of a heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. The latter requires immediate medical attention because it is a life-threatening emergency.

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