ORLANDO, Fla. – As temperatures outside approach records this week, it’s important to be safe when it comes to heat exposure. Wednesday on Breakfast with Bridgett, a cardiologist explained how the heat can be hard on your heart and make you sick or even be fatal.
There are various symptoms to watch out for.
“Should someone start developing the symptoms, muscle cramps, that sort of thing, hydrating with sports drinks, all those things that have sodium, magnesium, if it gets to the next level where folks are having irritability, confusion, we need to get them out of the heat as quickly as we can and put them in the shade or preferably, air conditioning, cool compresses on their head,” Dr. Ross Goodfellow, a cardiologist from Health First, said.
With extreme heat outdoors, the doctor says it’s important for adults to protect children and young athletes from heat exhaustion because they tend to be less aware of overexertion and overheating. He says “having your tank full” before going out is the first line of defense.
“Making sure kids are dressed appropriately, suncreen, making sure you’re hydrated beforehand and take frequent breaks, drink when you’re out there, and during breaks, get out of the sun into the shade, limiting time in extreme heat and limiting their time outside,” he said.
If an overheated person is disoriented or losing consciousness despite efforts to cool them off, the doctor says it’s time to call 911 and get them to the closest emergency room.
You can watch the doctor’s full interview above.
And watch Breakfast with Bridgett, weekdays at 7:30 a.m. on the News 6 Plus streaming app or ClickOrlando.com.
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