SYDNEY, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Older adults with heart disease face up to seven times the risk of dying in a heatwave, prompting experts to call for tailored "heat plans" to protect vulnerable patients from extreme heat, a new report finds.
The report published in the European Heart Journal outlines measures to prevent heat-related deaths and hospitalizations, including preparing hospitals for surges in demand, monitoring patients at home and providing cooling resources such as fans, according to a statement published on the Australian Science Media Center website on Thursday.
"Extreme heat is not simply a matter of discomfort; it places considerable stress on the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of illness and death," said the report's co-author Georgia Chaseling from Australia's University of Sydney.
The report recommends identifying vulnerable patients before heatwaves and developing individual heat-management plans that consider their illnesses, medications, hydration needs and living circumstances.
Healthcare providers should also coordinate with emergency services, public health agencies and local authorities to reach socially isolated people and those with limited access to cooling, the report said.
The report called for extreme heat preparedness to become part of routine cardiovascular disease prevention and management as heat extremes become more frequent and intense. Endtiem