Sveti Duh Hospital Director: Arbitrarily Changing Therapy More Dangerous Than Heat
Edvard Galić issues recommendations for chronic patients and citizens during the heatwave, particularly warning of the dangers of alcohol and energy drinks.
Edvard Galić issues recommendations for chronic patients and citizens during the heatwave, particularly warning of the dangers of alcohol and energy drinks.
The director of Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital, Edvard Galić, issued a series of recommendations for citizens on Saturday in response to the heatwave affecting Croatia. In an interview with HRT's Dnevnik, he specifically addressed chronic patients, emphasizing that arbitrarily changing prescribed therapy can be more dangerous than the heat itself.
According to him, hospital admission rates have increased in recent days, with the main reasons being dehydration, dizziness, fainting, and elevated blood pressure. He therefore recommended that all citizens consume adequate fluids.
Galić stressed that the most vulnerable are the elderly with chronic conditions, especially those with heart failure, coronary artery disease, vascular and heart diseases, or those prone to arrhythmias. Diabetics and individuals who have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke are also in the high-risk group.
"We advise them to measure their blood pressure and body weight more frequently during this time, monitor the color and amount of urine, and if certain symptoms appear, to contact their doctor," Galić told HRT's Dnevnik.
The director of Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital particularly warned chronic patients to strictly adhere to medical recommendations and prescribed therapies. He noted that during hot days, there may indeed be a need to adjust dosages, especially for diuretics or blood pressure medications, but this should never be done without consulting a doctor.
"They should never change their therapy on their own because arbitrarily changing therapy can be more dangerous than the heat. During these hot days, there may indeed be a need to adjust the dose, especially when using diuretics or blood pressure medications. However, they should never change it themselves but must consult a doctor who will determine the appropriate dosage," Galić said.
He also addressed the consumption of alcoholic and energy drinks, urging citizens to exercise moderation. He explained that alcohol acts similarly to heat and can further dehydrate the body.
"Alcohol is essentially an intensifier of everything and acts similarly to heat. It acts as a diuretic, dehydrating the body and dilating blood vessels. In a way, this can all lead to a drop in blood pressure," Galić said.
He also warned of the potential danger of excessive energy drink consumption, especially when combined with physical exertion. "Personally, I would say they are more dangerous when the body is exposed to more intense physical exertion and heat. So, caution with energy drinks," he added.
Finally, the director of Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital provided recommendations for using air conditioning. He emphasized that the temperature in a cooled space should not be too low, as sudden temperature changes can put additional strain on the heart.
"The temperature should not be too low. The biggest problem occurs when entering a heavily cooled space because it can further strain the heart. My recommendation is to adapt. When going outside, it might be good to spend some time in a hallway that is not as air-conditioned before stepping out," Galić told HRT's Dnevnik.
