USING a fan and wetting the skin reduces the risk of deadly cardiac strain in hot and humid weather, but for older folks who are at high risk of a heat-induced event, it's not that simple.
A new study by the University of Sydney and Montreal Heart Institute found fans can be a lifesaver for seniors in muggy weather - even debunking the US Center of Disease Control's previous guidance.
The researchers tested various cooling tricks, like combining fans with a spritz of water, on older participants in two sauna-like scenarios: one hot and steamy (38C, 60% humidity) and another hot and bone-dry (45C, 15% humidity).
In humid conditions, the fan-water combo worked like a charm, keeping hearts calm.
But in dry heat, the fans backfired, pushing more hot air onto already-overheated bodies.
The study revealed that in scorching dry air, fans can triple cardiac strain - a risk no one needs in their golden years, so on the next searing day, stick to a good splash of water.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Nov 24
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