“In hot weather, blood vessels expand, the body tries to cool itself, we sweat more, which can lead to dehydration. And this often results in fluctuations in blood pressure – with all the negative consequences... I always warn my patients that in summer they should measure their blood pressure more often,” emphasized cardiologist VCA Alberts Berzinsh. He also notes that in summer, due to weather conditions, blood pressure can not only rise but also fall, and if a patient uses aggressive therapy to lower blood pressure, it may lead to very low blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure can lead to dizziness, weakness, and in more severe cases – to kidney dysfunction and loss of consciousness. “Therefore, in summer, it is essential to carefully monitor your blood pressure and consult your family doctor if you should reduce the dosage of your blood pressure medication,” warns Alberts Berzinsh. Pharmacist Mēness aptieka Erika Petersone also notes that in summer, especially when the temperature is above 25 degrees, people often come to the pharmacy feeling unwell. “First of all, we offer to measure blood pressure, which is available in many pharmacies in our network. And here I want to say right away that it is important for people of all ages to have a blood pressure monitor at home. You will greatly help your doctor if you buy a sphygmomanometer, but do not put it in a distant corner, but monitor your blood pressure in the morning and evening, and record the results to show to your doctor during the appointment,” advises Erika Petersone. ## Attention Seniors! People of older age should be especially careful in hot weather. “For elderly people, this time can be very challenging. Firstly, because seniors often take several medications, and they interact with each other. This can also lead to fluctuations in blood pressure. Secondly, as we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, and elderly people drink less fluid. This can lead to negative consequences,” warns the doctor. “Today, you can purchase electrolyte powders (with different flavors) at the pharmacy, which contain natural minerals: magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc. They are dissolved in water and, when taken, quickly restore the water-energy balance in the body, relieve muscle pain, reduce tension, improve heat tolerance in stuffy rooms, and protect against dehydration. They are suitable for people with allergies, diabetes, and vegans,” says Erika Petersone. ## Don’t Overdo It in the Garden... “Under no circumstances should you forget about simple but very important things: your head must be covered to avoid overheating in the sun, and you should always have a bottle of water with you to prevent dehydration. And also: it is better to work in the garden early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the heat subsides. You should not work for long periods without breaks on tasks that require significant physical effort. Especially if you have to work with your head down,” says Berzinsh. And, of course, you must have a phone with you to call your family doctor or the family doctors' consultation phone if necessary: 66016001. On weekdays, the consultation phone will answer your questions from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and on weekends and holidays – around the clock. When going to the summer house, you must take a first-aid kit with you. “The first-aid kit should contain calming drops - for example, Corvalol, heart drops, motherwort tincture, valerian. These medications calm and relax blood vessels,” says Dr. Berzinsh. If you regularly take any medications, you should have a sufficient supply with you for the entire time spent outdoors. “Sometimes people who come to the pharmacy remember: ‘It seems I haven’t taken my medications for two or three weeks, and suddenly I felt unwell during gardening...’ But this does not happen ‘suddenly,’ it is due to the lack of supportive therapy,” says the pharmacist. And she asks everyone: if medications are prescribed, they must be taken exactly as the doctor says.” Erika Petersone emphasizes that you can always talk to a pharmacy specialist. “For example, we know that if a person takes medications that act on the central nervous system: sedatives, sleeping pills, medications for Parkinson’s disease, as well as medications for certain mental disorders, some of them can increase sensitivity to heat. We tell our clients this and ask them to discuss all the nuances with their doctor and get his recommendations,” emphasizes the pharmacist. ## What to Do If You Feel Unwell? People with a tendency to high blood pressure often experience shortness of breath, weakness, seeing “flies” in front of their eyes, instability while walking, dizziness, and increased heart rate on hot days. What to do? Go to the shade or a cool room, sit down, unbutton your shirt collar, take heart drops (which must be in your home first-aid kit!) and breathe slowly and calmly. Measure your blood pressure, and if it is high, call an ambulance. Breathe according to the scheme: slow deep inhale – slow exhale. Try to relax and not panic! This is certainly not easy, but very important because anxiety stimulates the release of adrenaline and cortisol – hormones that constrict blood vessels, increase heart rate, and raise already high blood pressure. ## Prevention Opportunity At the Agenskalns market in Riga (Nometņu St. 64) on Wednesday, June 10 – from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, you can undergo free health checks and receive consultations from specialists on cardiovascular health. Ophthalmologists and optometrists from VCA clinics will measure your intraocular pressure. You can also check your blood pressure, pulse, and even get advice from Mēness aptieka pharmacists on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In turn, at the Central Laboratory (CL) booth, you can determine your glycated hemoglobin level for free, which shows the average blood sugar level over the past months and helps to timely identify the risk of diabetes. In the regions of the country on June 13 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, you can check your blood pressure and receive advice from a specialist on strengthening heart health at Mēness aptieka pharmacies in Liepāja (Tirgonu St. 24), Valmiera (Rīgas St. 46), and Daugavpils (Cietokšņa St. 60).