batteries, bottled water and plan for cardiac care

While the hurricane season is in full swing, you need to prepare a permanent council along the coast of the country.

But that means more than filling disaster kits with non-perishable goods or planning evacuation routes. Doctors who have contributed to hurricanes say that people must also be careful to stay healthy before and after the storm.

Part of the disaster preparedness means "flashlights, batteries and bottled water and storage of certain items, but we must also think about our health, especially to those victims of". stroke or other cardiovascular risk factors, "said Dr. Ralph Sacco, chairman of the board of neurology. at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.

Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have predicted a "near normal" storm season that could cause four to eight hurricanes this year.

But just someone to make a life of devastation.

Research shows an increase in cardiovascular events after natural disasters such as hurricanes. A study of the New Jersey counties hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy revealed a 22% increase in heart attacks in the two weeks following the 2012 storm compared to the same five-year period preceding. Deaths related to a heart attack have also increased, as has the number of strokes.

Sacco said that one way to prepare for a hurricane is to pack all the drugs needed to control blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, or other conditions badociated with heart disease.

"And having enough, that's the key, because you never know how long your life could be disrupted," he said, suggesting a minimum of two to three weeks.

"You hate to think of the worst case, but I would say at least that we are trying to get a 30-day supply," he said. After an evacuation, telephone and Internet services could be affected indefinitely. This could also result in an interruption of pharmacy services.

Hurricanes often disrupt attempts to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routines. Sacco said that it was not necessary. When he thinks about packing non-perishable goods, which are often packaged in packs or processed cans, look for low sodium options, he suggested.

He also stressed the need to exercise regularly, even in the case of weather constraints.

"There are other ways to do physical activity, including Swedish gymnastics and other things at home if you can not go to the gym," Sacco said. "Exercise is good for cardiovascular health, but it's really important for stress management."

Anand Irimpen, head of the cardiology department of Southeast Louisiana's health care system in New Orleans, explains that it's essential to fight stress and anxiety to prevent certain people do not pick up bad habits.

Stress caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters can easily raise blood pressure and contribute to anxiety and depression, all of which can affect the health of the heart and brain, said Irimpen, professor of medicine. at the Tulane School of Medicine.

"I remember that after Katrina, we did not have enough psychiatrists and people to provide mental health care," he said. "Much of this stress and depression can lead to the abuse of alcohol and drugs, which can further aggravate a person's illness."

Irimpen and other researchers found that even a decade after Katrina, hospital admissions for heart attacks in New Orleans were still three to four times higher than before the storm. Their study also found that post-Katrina patients were more likely to have other risk factors for heart attack, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Hurricanes can also cause symptoms in people who have not yet been diagnosed with heart disease, he said.

Sacco said that is why it is important to follow the recommendations of government officials when they announce evacuations. These instructions often affect hospital operations and emergency medical services, which may close down.

During Hurricane Irma in 2017, government officials warned ambulance drivers to not be available and that calls to 911 would remain unanswered.

This type of information is essential for any family whose members may be at risk for a cardiovascular event, Sacco said.

"People are thinking about deaths from punctures on the roofs or flooding, but you know if a person at high risk of stroke, then under the stress of a hurricane, develops suddenly any of these symptoms – face or arm falling, speech disturbance – then time is going to be a problem if there is no 911 service, "he said. "Perhaps the lesson to remember is that if you are ordered to evacuate, in good health or at risk, consider these warnings."

The American Heart Association News covers the health of the heart and brain. All opinions expressed in this story do not reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is the property of the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have any questions or comments about this story, please send an email to [email protected].