Even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh heavy rain alert for at least five districts of Tamil Nadu, experts are worried about the rising cases of heart and respiratory problems among high-risk citizens. According to the Meteorological Department, there will be sporadic heavy rain along with rain in the city for the next two to three days.

According to the Regional Meteorological Center in Chennai, orange alert has also been declared for several districts including Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Villupuram as well as Puducherry. Officials have advised residents to take precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heavy rain.

Doctors say the increase in rain incidents could increase the risk of death due to heart and lung conditions. Climate change is making short-term rainfall events more severe and frequent – ​​leading to an increase in infectious diseases, according to a new study. A day of extreme rainfall that is most likely to recur over the next five years is typically associated with an eight percent increase in deaths from any cause in the 14 days following an extreme weather event, a new German study says. Is connected.

Such incidence was also associated with a five per cent increase in cardiovascular deaths and almost 30 per cent increase in lung-related mortality in the fortnight following the rains.

Why is excessive rainfall harmful to cardiovascular and respiratory health?

According to doctors, excessive rain increases the risk of heart attack in many ways, such as:

medical treatment interrupted

Due to excessive rainfall – People who are suffering from heart related problems will not be able to get their follow-up medical treatment properly. According to experts, they may also have to face problems due to non-availability of life-saving medicines.

airborne diseases

Rain causes high humidity, and in a climate like Chennai, the chances of airborne pathogens like viruses and bacteria increase – leading to underlying health problems – especially if you already suffer from respiratory diseases.

tension increased

Unabated rains can cause mental stress to people who have underlying medical problems like heart problems and worsen their condition.

increase in infections

There is always a rise in infections during the rains which affects people with co-morbidities more – leading to heart failure in those who have cardiovascular problems.

What are other weather conditions that can lead to heart problems?

According to experts, some other extreme weather conditions that are harmful to people with heart problems include:

cold weather

In cold weather your blood becomes thick and sticky, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

bulk temperature

According to experts, extreme temperatures increase the risk of heart disease, especially for older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-income communities.

to sweat

Sweating causes volume loss, which increases your heart rate.

Ways to protect your heart,

Here are some ways to protect your heart health during the rainy season:

eat a balanced diet

Be sure to consume foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins like legumes, seafood, eggs, nuts and seeds. Limit salt intake and avoid processed foods.

stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water at room temperature to reduce the risk of cardiovascular stress caused by cold.

Exercise

Stay active with indoor activities like yoga or Pilates.

enough sleep

Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to reduce heart disease risk.

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