How Your Heart's Size Affects Heat Tolerance in Older Adults

Older adults don't all react the same way to extreme heat. Some handle it better than others. This isn't just about age. It's also about how fit their hearts are. A recent study looked at how the size of the heart's left ventricle affects body temperature and heart rate in hot, dry conditions. The study focused on 22 older adults, aged around 73 years. They were exposed to very hot and dry conditions for three hours. During this time, their core temperature and heart rate were measured. The results showed that people with smaller left ventricles had higher body temperatures and heart rates after being in the heat.This finding is important. It suggests that people with smaller hearts may be more at risk of overheating and high heart rates in hot environments. However, the study didn't find a link between heart size and sweating or blood flow in the arms. The study highlights the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults. It shows that heart health can play a big role in how well someone tolerates heat. This is crucial information for understanding heat-related risks in older populations.