Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bilal Boztosun warned heart patients about cold showers taken in the summer months. Prof. Dr. Bilal Boztosun said, “Whatever the temperature of the external environment, the human body tries to keep the temperature constant. There are many adaptation centers working in the body to provide this temperature. The main regulation is made by changing the body’s blood flow. Water transmits heat energy 30 times more than air. For this reason, cold water has a faster and greater effect on the circulatory system compared to cold air. “Taking a shower with extremely cold water can cause constriction in the vessels and trigger a heart attack,” he said.
DO NOT DIVE SUDDENLY INTO THE SEA OR POOL
Explaining that when people go from very hot weather to sudden cold, pulse and blood pressure increase in order to maintain heat in the body, the heart begins to pump more blood. Dr. Bilal Boztosun continued as follows:
“Taking a shower with extremely cold water to cool down can cause constriction in the blood vessels. If there is a blockage in the heart vessels, the heart cannot be fed enough due to overwork and is strained. As a result, a heart attack may be triggered.
Taking a sudden cold shower from a very hot environment can cause negative consequences, including fainting and even death. Especially individuals with cardiovascular disease, congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, or those using serious blood thinning medications should avoid sudden diving into the sea or pool. But there is no problem for healthy individuals to take cold showers.”
