Warm weather affects blood pressure

We enjoy warm days and mild evenings in Denmark. Beyond the sun, warmer temperatures bring other benefits as well.

A study published in the "Journal of the American Society of Hypertension" concludes that warm weather brings benefits in the form of lower blood pressure. Therefore, the researchers behind the study also suggest that doctors take the weather and the season into account when assessing blood pressure. In the study, the Dutch research team compared how the average blood pressure of 100,000 healthy people changed in relation to the time of year and the outdoor temperature.

The result confirms what is already known from Danish cardiology departments, says Gunnar Gislason, professor and head of research at the Danish Heart Foundation. "It is an interesting study, and it is well conducted. We can also see that people have fewer blood clots, and there are fewer admissions to cardiology departments during the summer. At the same time, mortality rates fall. This may, among other things, be consistent with the fact that blood pressure drops,"

Summer brings lower blood pressure

Summer heat is, in effect, a lifesaver. But how does it all connect? The lower blood pressure in summer may be due to a bodily reaction to rising temperatures. Blood vessels dilate to regulate body temperature. When it is cold, they constrict. Furthermore, blood volume also decreases when we sweat, which also causes blood pressure to drop.

"At the same time, people are more active in the summer, and a high activity level lowers blood pressure. Additionally, the summer sun makes us happier, which can affect our stress levels and lower blood pressure. Finally, we also tend to relax more and take vacations during the summer period, which also has a stress-reducing effect," explains Gunnar Gislason.

According to experts, there is therefore very good reason to enjoy the higher temperatures and relax in the heat.

Sources

https://videnskab.dk/krop-sundhed/blodtrykket-falder-nar-vejret-er-varmt