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It’s no secret that baking yourself in the sun isn’t the best idea when it comes to your health.
In addition to the risk of sunburn and heat stroke, there is also an increased chance of developing skin cancer.
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When it comes to skin, dermatologists told The Sun that there is no safe way to tan, as even the slightest bronze tint equates to sun damage.
Research now shows that exhausting yourself under the sun’s scorching rays can increase your risk of heart disease and interfere with your body’s immune response.
Scientists at the University of Louisville found that just one day in hot weather is enough to increase inflammatory markers in the body.
Inflammation, which is associated with heart disease risk, is part of the body’s normal response to infection or injury.
However, a long-term inflammatory response that lasts weeks or months, or that occurs in healthy tissue, can be damaging and promote plaque buildup within the arteries.
This can lead to atherosclerosis, a thickening or hardening of the arteries, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
The study was presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health Conference in Chicago, but has not yet been published in a scientific journal.
A team led by Dr. Daniel Riggs, an epidemiologist and professor of environmental medicine, examined blood samples taken from 624 participants in the Louisville Green Heart Project. The project is researching how planting greenery in neighborhoods can improve air quality and reduce heart disease.
The participants, who ranged in age from 20 to 70, visited a research facility in Louisville during the summers of 2018 and 2019 and underwent blood tests that researchers used to determine markers of how well their immune systems were functioning. analyzed.
The average temperature on the day participants visited the clinic was 24.5 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit).
The researchers specifically looked at levels of key compounds released when the immune system detects injury, such as cytokines, molecules that can cause inflammation.
Cytokines and immune cells were used to show how much the body mounts defenses in response to a perceived threat.
The results showed a link between hot weather and increased levels of several cytokines.
There is concern about a link between heat exposure and a temporary decrease in immune system response.
Dr. Daniel Riggs
One of these, TNF-α, is “one of the major inflammatory markers and plays an important role in cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Riggs said.
Hot weather is associated with increased levels of white blood cells known as monocytes and killer T cells, which could be a sign that the heat is causing inflammation or boosting the immune response, Riggs said. continued.
Researchers also noticed a decrease in white blood cells, known as B cells, which fight infections and purify the blood.
Dr. Riggs says lower levels of these cells can mean you’re more susceptible to infection.
The researchers found that the warmer the weather, the more inflammatory markers there were.
Dr. Riggs told the conference that he was surprised to see so many types of cells change when exposed to high temperatures for short periods of time.
“While our study participants were exposed to only a small amount of high temperature on the day of their blood test, even small exposures can contribute to changes in immune markers,” he explained.
people most at risk
It is already known that people, especially older adults and those with existing cardiovascular disease, are at risk for heat-related cardiovascular events and death.
Dr. Riggs said, “As global temperatures rise, we know that temperature and humidity are important environmental factors in airborne infectious diseases, so there is a temporary shift between heat exposure and immune system responses. There are concerns that this may be related to the decline.”
“Thus, during the hottest days of summer, people may be at increased risk of heat exposure and may also be more susceptible to illness and inflammation.”
He advised people to stay indoors during the hottest hours and sunniest hours and to reduce exposure to heat and sunlight during hot weather.
Seeking shade when you go out, wearing light, breathable clothing, and drinking plenty of water can also help.
How to stay safe in hot weather
The UK Health and Safety Executive advises that you follow the following tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- If you plan on doing any physical activity, such as exercising or walking your dog, plan to do it during cooler times of the day, such as in the morning or evening.
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms exposed to the sun.
- If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen.
- Drink lots of water but refrain from drinking alcohol
- Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and what to do if you or someone else gets heat stroke.
- Check with your family, friends, and neighbors who may be at higher risk of getting sick, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
Source: UKHSA
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