If you suffer from heart disease, the summer months can be particularly dangerous. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to keep your heart healthy this summer. In addition to following the guidelines prescribed by your doctor, here are four things you can do to protect your heart during the hot summer months.

Start the Summer with a Trip to the Doctor

When you suffer from heart disease, you've got to take precautions to protect yourself during the summer months. One way to do that is to start the summer out with a trip to the doctor.

This is particularly important if you take prescription medications. You might not realize this, but some medications can cause serious health problems when you're exposed to extreme heat.

Before your prescription medications cause you to experience additional heart-related health problems this summer, make sure you go over those medications with your doctor.

Find a Cooler Way to Get Some Exercise

When you suffer from heart disease, you need to take your diet and exercise routine seriously. Eating healthy foods and keeping active can help improve your heart health.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get out and exercise during the summer, especially once those temperatures start to soar. To make sure you stay physically active during the summer, you'll need to find cooler ways to get some exercise.

One way is to sign up for a summer water aerobics class. Another way is to head to the local mall to exercise. You can get your daily walks in while enjoying the cool air-conditioned comfort of the mall.

Don't Deprive Your Body of the Water It Needs

You know that you need water to avoid dehydration during the summer, but you might not know that you need it to keep your heart health too. Water helps flush the impurities out of your body, which helps regulate your blood pressure and reduces water retention. This summer, protect your heart and your health by drinking plenty of water.

Know the Warning Signs of Summer Heart Problems

If you suffer from heart disease, it's crucial that you know the warning signs of heart problems, especially during the summer. Heart problems can present themselves very quickly, which means you need to be ready to act as soon as the symptoms present themselves.

To do that, you need to know what those warning signs are. Signs you should be aware of include pain or discomfort in your chest or other areas of your upper body, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and unexplained nausea. If you experience any of those symptoms, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

If you have any concerns about your heart's health, make an appointment with a cardiology office such as Temecula Valley Cardiology.