Ice Water in a Heatwave Can Strain the Heart, Doctors Warn
Serbia's weather service expects highs back near 35 degrees from mid-July, and cardiologists warn that gulping ice water in the heat can overload the heart. Here is what, how much and when to drink.
- Serbia's weather service says that from around July 14, daytime highs will climb back toward 35 degrees Celsius, with local peaks above 40 in the last third of the month.
- Heat widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, so gulping ice water adds strain on the heart, especially in older people and those with chronic conditions.
- Drink water steadily through the day, sip by sip and not ice cold, and cut back on coffee and energy drinks.
- The Batut Institute has warned sensitive groups: the elderly, chronic patients and children.
Can a glass of ice water really hurt your heart on the hottest day of summer? It can, and it can happen fast. After a few days of unsettled weather with showers, Serbia’s Hydrometeorological Institute says the heat is coming back. Highs stay between 26 and 30 degrees until mid-July, and from around July 14 they climb again toward 35. For the last third of the month, according to the provisional monthly outlook, a strong heatwave is expected, with local peaks above 40 degrees around July 24 and 25.
That means a stretch when the body works at its limit, and many people reach for what feels like the obvious fix: a big glass of ice water straight from the fridge. That, doctors say, is exactly where we go wrong.
Why does ice water strain the heart in the heat?
When it is scorching outside, the body tries to cool down by widening its blood vessels. Cardiologist Dr Danijela Draskovic of the Dedinje Institute explains that this widening lowers blood pressure, bringing on headaches, dizziness and fatigue. The heart is already working harder than usual at that moment.
If you then pour a large amount of ice water into an overheated body, the effect can be the opposite of what you wanted. The sudden cold stimulus narrows the blood vessels and, together with blood that is already thicker from fluid lost through sweating, puts extra load on the heart. In a healthy person this usually passes as a brief unpleasant feeling. In older people, or anyone with existing heart or circulatory trouble, the risk is more serious.
So the advice is not to give up cold water, but to avoid downing it in one go straight from the freezer. Chilled water is perfectly fine. Ice cold and all at once is not.
What, how much and when to drink
The rule is simple: drink regularly, before you feel thirsty. Thirst is already a sign that you are behind on fluids. Plain water is best, at room temperature or lightly chilled, taken sip by sip through the day rather than a litre at once when you start to feel unwell. If you are moving around or working outdoors, add a glass or two for every hour of activity.
Coffee and energy drinks are better cut back. They act as diuretics, pushing the body to flush out fluid, and can add to dehydration just when you need water most. The same goes for alcohol and heavily sweetened drinks.
Most important of all: avoid hard physical effort and direct sun between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., when temperatures and solar radiation are at their strongest. A hat, loose light-coloured clothing and shade are not a luxury but protection.
The Batut Institute has already issued a warning for sensitive groups. Heat hits the elderly, chronic patients and children faster and harder, so they deserve extra attention: remind them to drink water, and never leave them in overheated rooms or in a car.
Heatwaves are a familiar summer story here, yet every year they catch out someone who thought it was “just a bit warm”. A little care, with a glass of water in hand, can make a big difference. So how are you getting ready for the next heatwave?
