Have you ever felt your heart skip a beat? Felt a flutter in your chest, or was your heart beating fast?

These could be signs of arrhythmia or, more simply, an irregular heartbeat. But don’t panic if you’ve occasionally had these symptoms. While they can be quite alarming, they aren’t all that uncommon. Millions of people experience similar symptoms every year.

We all welcome the arrival of summer and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors, but the extreme heat that comes with the season can sometimes trigger the symptoms of an irregular heartbeat. However, there are precautions you can take to reduce the chances of that happening.

Here are six ways to stay heart-healthy while having fun this summer:

Drink plenty of fluids

It is important to drink a lot of water, especially in hot weather and even when you aren’t feeling thirsty. Dehydration often is associated with vacationers who tend to stray from their regular schedules and eating habits. Carrying a refillable water bottle with you everywhere you go – and remembering to drink from it – will go a long way toward preventing dehydration.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Sometimes, the sun is draining you of energy, and you feel like you need the little “boost” from a caffeinated drink or a cold adult beverage to cool down. But be careful, as both caffeine and alcohol are considered diuretics that cause you to urinate more, which in turn increases your risk of dehydration.

In addition, alcohol can dilate blood vessels and lower your blood pressure. Be aware of the caffeine content in popular beverages, which can speed up your heart rate. Both issues can contribute to an episode of irregular heartbeat.

Avoid exercising or any outdoor activities during extreme heat

Exercise alone can cause the heart to have an episode of beating irregularly, but throw hot weather on top of that, and you’ve just upped the odds. Instead, opt for indoor exercise and activities, or if you must be outside, perform strenuous activities in the cooler temperatures just before sun-up.

Buddy up

If you have any type of heart arrhythmia, it’s better not to go it alone in extreme heat conditions. It’s important to know what to do in case you or your friend do happen to experience heat exhaustion: get out of the heat and into a cool area, remove any unnecessary clothing, and drink plenty of fluids. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, fast and weak pulse, and fainting.

If symptoms don’t improve within 30 minutes, call your doctor or 911.

Wear light and loose-fitting clothing

Light-colored and loose-fitting clothes are the best choices to keep cool in hot summer weather, and natural fabrics such as cotton are preferred over synthetic fibers. Why? Light, loose-fitting clothing is less likely to trap body heat and can help reduce the chances of heat exhaustion.

Check the weather

Watch the weather forecast and heed any heat warnings. Remember, heat warnings are issued for a good reason – to protect you! Excessive heat is dangerous for everyone, especially those with known heart conditions.

“A heart arrhythmia should not be taken lightly,” says Kettering Health Electrophysiologist Dr. Haseeb Jafri. “It raises your chances for stroke and can lead to other heart problems and chronic fatigue. While some people never know they have heart arrhythmia until diagnosed by a doctor during an examination, there are symptoms you can look for.”

Watch out for the following:

• An occasional thumping or flutter in your chest
• Shortness of breath
• A sudden feeling of weakness or fatigue
• Difficulty exercising
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Dizziness or confusion

If you have any concerns about your heart, err on the side of caution and schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. Click here to find a Kettering Health Cardiologist.

How healthy is your heart? Take the risk quiz and find out!