Summer is heating up, but your blood pressure doesn't have to! By taking control and learning how to build healthy habits like managing  your activity and tracking your pulse, you’ll be protecting your heart and enjoying the summer days with ease!

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Summer heart health tips

Summer heat can put more strain on your heart as your body tries to cool down. This can impact your blood pressure and your overall heart health. To prevent any issues while you’re enjoying the sun’s rays, here are some tips for your heart's safety.

 

  1. Dive into hydration  - One easy thing you can do to keep your heart healthy this summer is staying hydrated. Dehydration can cause your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. To stay hydrated, try sprucing up your water with lemon slices, berries, or cucumber slices. Throw in some mint for a refreshing blast!
  1. Track your beats - Overworking, straining, or stress, can cause your heartbeats to be abnormal. Tracking and monitoring your pulse daily will give you tools to monitor your heart health and reduce your risk. 
  1. Get your habits on - When the heat is on it's important to make healthy food choices. When enjoying summer grilling, cutting back on salt  doesn’t mean cutting back on flavor! Garlic, onion, herbs, lemon juice, vinegars, and spices are all simple swaps that can add flavor while keeping your dish heart-healthy. 
  1. Use sun protection-While sunlight helps your body make Vitamin D, prolonged sun exposure can increase your risk of heat stroke and dehydration. It only takes 15 minutes of being in the sun to help you reach the daily amount of vitamin D you need. So go get some sunlight, but just don't overdo it or forget the sunscreen!

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Summertime heart health tracking 

Enjoying summer activities while managing your heart health can reduce heart health risk. The Hello Heart app can help you track your blood pressure, cholesterol, activity, and pulse levels, while giving you easy-to-read, personalized tips based on your health. You can even easily share reports with your doctor, if you choose to. We’re committed to your privacy! Start your journey with Hello Heart today and enjoy the summer while taking control of your heart health. Ready to join? Sign up with Hello Heart. 

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Hello Heart is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. You should always consult with your doctor about your individual care.

1. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed October 19, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. See additional important study limitations in the publication. This study showed that 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163 were able to reduce their blood pressure by 21 mmHg using the Hello Heart program.) (2) Livongo Health, Inc. Form S-1 Registration Statement. https:/www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639225/000119312519185159/d731249ds1.htm. Published June 28, 2019. Accessed October 19, 2022. (In a pilot study that lasted six weeks, individuals starting with a blood pressure of greater than 140/90 mmHg, on average, had a 10 mmHG reduction.) NOTE: This comparison is not based on a head-to-head study, and the difference in results may be due in part to different study protocols.
2. Validation Institute. 2021 Validation Report (Valid Through October 2022). https://validationinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hello_Heart-Savings-2021- Final.pdf. Published October 2021. Accessed October 19, 2022. (This analysis was commissioned by Hello Heart, which provided a summary report of self-fundedemployer client medical claims data for 203 Hello Heart users and 200 non-users from 2017-2020. Findings have not been subjected to peer review.)