December 4, 2023

How the Heat Can Affect Your Heart

Sizzling temperatures force your heart to work much harder

Person overheated lying on chair on the beach; heart rythym next to him

Lounging by the pool under the sun’s warming rays can seem pretty relaxing. Ditto for sitting back in a steamy sauna or soaking in a bubbling hot tub. Feeling that touch of heat is just soooo soothing.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

But your heart may disagree. After all, it’s being forced to work way harder.

For every degree your body’s internal temperature rises in the heat, your heart rate increases by about 10 beats per minute. That natural reaction places added strain and stress on your ticker.

So, why does this happen? And what can (or should) you do about it? Let’s cool things down with some cold, hard facts from exercise physiologist Michael Crawford, MS, who specializes in cardiac rehabilitation.

How does temperature affect heart rate?

Your life depends upon your amazing heart and its rhythmic task of pumping blood throughout your body. But did you realize that your heart-powered circulatory system also doubles as a cooling mechanism?

When it’s hot, your body radiates warmth to cool down. It does this by dilating (or expanding) blood vessels and increasing your heart rate and blood flow, explains Crawford.

As fast-moving blood streams through arteries and veins near the surface of your skin, it loses a bit of warmth to the outside air. The volume of blood rushing through in this cooling effort may be two to four times the typical flow.

Advertisement

“Your cardiovascular system really ramps up efforts to radiate heat to cool you down when it’s hot out,” says Crawford. “As part of that process, your heart ends up working much harder to get that blood around.”

The sweat effect

Perspiration is another way your body tries to beat the heat. Every drip-drop of sweat offers a cooling effect as it evaporates off your skin.

That’s the good news. The bad? Sweating puts added strain on your body given the loss of sodium, potassium and other essential minerals that your organs — including your heart — need. Dehydration from excessive sweating also can stress your heart.

“Those losses just add to the extra demands being placed on your heart,” notes Crawford.

Should you take precautions in the heat?

Absolutely! Just hanging out in the heat doing next to nothing puts added strain on your heart. If you’re not careful, sizzling temperatures also can lead to heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The risk to your heart is even greater if you’re active on hot days, says Crawford. Remember, heat puts added stress on your heart even if you’re just sitting in a chair. Go on a training run or mow the lawn and you REALLY put your ticker in a tough spot.

Advertisement

The reason? Essentially, you’re asking your heart to do double duty as it works to cool you down and pumps harder to meet extra physical demands.

So, if the forecast looks sweltering, try to minimize the time you’re outdoors in the hottest hours of the day. If you’re going to be outside, aim for the cooler morning or evening hours for activities.

If your schedule puts you under the blazing sun, try to regularly:

Keep tabs on how you’re feeling, too. “If you’re in the heat and begin to feel fatigue or your heart rate going up, don’t ignore it,” advises Crawford. “It’s important to get your core body temperature down immediately.”

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

person running with food and fitness images floating behind
March 6, 2024
Is It Safe to Work Out While You’re Fasting?

It’s best to exercise before or after your fast, instead of during it

Person enjoying container of assorted fruit
February 28, 2024
How To Protect Your Heart When You Have Prediabetes

You can counter the risk of prediabetes-related heart attack or stroke by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as exercising regularly

Cholesterol blocking blood flow in artery
February 26, 2024
What It Means if You Have ‘Sticky’ Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) cholesterol are more likely to stick to your arteries and lead to dangerous heart events

Doctor shaking hands with patient, with large heart and EKG line behind them
February 19, 2024
How Weight Affects Your Heart

Having underweight, having overweight and having obesity can be dangerous for your heart

Close up of hands holding heart rate wearable watch monitor and their phone
February 12, 2024
Next Time You Exercise, Consider Wearing a Heart Rate Monitor

This technology can benefit your workouts by helping you hit your target heart rate, resulting in better overall health and wellness

seated doctor and female in doctor office, with female's hand on heart, with daughter
February 8, 2024
Here’s When You Should Go to the Hospital for a Dangerous Heart Rate

A resting heart rate below 35–40 beats per minute or over 100 beats per minute may be cause for concern

healthcare provider speaking with older female in office
February 6, 2024
How Estrogen Supports Heart Health

Your natural estrogen levels support a healthy heart by improving your cholesterol, increasing blood flow and reducing free radicals

Flaxseed sprinkled on a salad in a white bowl on a dark wooden table
January 31, 2024
Flaxseed: A Little Seed With Big Health Benefits

Ground flaxseed is full of heart-healthy omega-3s, antioxidants and fiber, and easy to add to just about any recipe

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

person getting a sinus massage between brows
5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad