Many people with cardiovascular conditions aren’t aware that heat can be deadly for them, the Long Island Health Collaborative warned in a statement last month: “We are more in tune with the risks of extreme cold and shoveling heavy snow and don’t regard high heat and humidity as equally worrisome. But we should.”

According to the American Heart Association, people with conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, or arrhythmia are at greater risk when the temperature is high. 

To combat that danger, the Long Island Health Collaborative recommends using hydration, cooling mechanisms, and breathable clothing to protect against overheating—as well as a long-term strategy to improve cardiovascular health year-round. It specifically recommends the Wellness Foundation’s Jumpstart 360º, a four-week program that focuses on attainable exercise goals, stress management, social connection, and plant-based nutrition.

The Long Island Health Collaborative is a partnership of hospitals, county health departments, health providers, community-based social and human service organizations, academic institutions, health plans, local government, and the business sector, all engaged in improving the health of Long Islanders.

For more information about the Long Island Health Collaborative, visit LIHealthCollab.org. For more information about Jumpstart 360º, visit wfeh.org.