Even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh heavy rain alerts for at least five districts in Tamil Nadu, experts are concerned over rising cases of heart and respiratory issues among high-risk citizens. According to the weather department, rain will pound over the city for the next two to three along with isolated heavy rainfall.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, an orange alert has also been declared for many districts, including Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Villupuram as well as Puducherry. Officials have advised residents to take precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heavy rainfall.

Doctors say an increase in rainfall events can heighten the risk of death due to heart and lung conditions. According to a new study, climate change making short-term rainfall events more extreme and frequent - it leads to a rise in infectious diseases. A new German study says the day of extreme rainfall, that could likely recur over the following five years – is usually linked with an eight per cent increase in deaths due to any cause over the 14 days following the extreme weather event.

Such an event was also related to a five per cent increase in cardiovascular deaths and a nearly 30 per cent increase in lung-related mortality in the fortnight following the rainfall.

According to doctors, extreme rainfall increases the risk of heart attacks in a number of ways, like:

Due to extreme rainfall – those who suffer from heart-related issues may not be able to get their follow-up medical treatments done properly. According to experts, they can also face issues with unavailability of life-saving medications.

Rain leads to high humidity, and in weather like Chennai, there is an increased possibility of airborne pathogens like viruses and bacteria- which lead to underlying health issues – especially if you already suffer from respiratory diseases.

Unabated rainfall can cause mental stress in those who have underlying medical problems like heart issues and aggravate their condition.

There is always a surge in infections during rainfall which affects those with comorbidities more - causing heart failure in those who have had heart problems.

According to experts, a few other extreme weather conditions that are detrimental to those with heart problems include:

Cold weather leads to your blood thickening and stickier, which increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

According to experts, extreme temperatures surge the risk of heart disease, especially for older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-income communities.

Sweating leads to volume depletion, which increases your heart rate.

A few ways to protect your heart health during the rainy season include:

Make sure to consume foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins like legumes, seafood, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Limit salt intake and avoid processed foods.

Drink plenty of room-temperature water to reduce the risk of cold-induced cardiac stress.

Stay active with indoor activities like yoga or Pilates.

Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to reduce your risk of heart disease.

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