4 tips to prepare for natural disasters that can negatively
impact physical and mental health
MISSION,
Kan., May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family
Features) As you're making your emergency preparedness checklist,
it's also important to protect your heart and overall health in the
wake of a hurricane, tornado or other natural disaster.
The experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration predict an above-average Atlantic Ocean hurricane
season for the seventh year in a row. Research shows it's not only
physical devastation that impacts the health and safety of people
in the path of a natural disaster.
In fact, in a study presented at the American Heart
Association's Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle and
Cardiometabolic Health 2021 Scientific Sessions, researchers found
there were higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and
pre-diabetes among survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, as well as increased
incidences of heart disease and stroke two years after the storm
compared to two years prior to the hurricane.
It's not only hurricanes that can have a negative impact on
cardiovascular health. A study published in the journal
"Hypertension" found a significant increase in blood
pressure levels and the incidence of high blood pressure among
people who were forced to evacuate following the Great East Japan
Earthquake in 2012.
Gustavo E. Flores, M.D., a member
of the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiovascular Care
committee, said there are several factors that may lead to
increased cardiovascular disease and risk after a natural
disaster.
"During and after a storm, many people experience extreme
stress and trauma, which research shows can lead to an
increase in cardiovascular disease risk," he said. "The impact can
be more intense for heart disease and stroke patients.
Additionally, in the aftermath of a significant natural disaster,
property destruction and evacuations affect many basic support
resources. This can make it challenging to see a health care
professional for routine check-ups or refill or adjust medications,
especially for more vulnerable populations."
Flores, chairman and chief instructor for Emergency &
Critical Care Trainings, LLC, said it's important for people to be
prepared and plan ahead. Consider these quick tips from Flores and
the American Heart Association, which is celebrating 100 years of
lifesaving service as the world's leading nonprofit organization
focused on heart and brain health for all:
- Take time to write down any medical conditions, allergies and
medications, including doses and the time you take medications,
along with your pharmacy name, address and phone number. Keep the
information with any other "go-kit" items you have handy for quick
evacuation.
- If you need to evacuate, even temporarily, bring your
medications and health information with you in a resealable plastic
bag to help keep it dry.
- If your medication is lost, damaged by water or was left behind
when you evacuated, research open pharmacies and seek a refill as
quickly as possible. Some states allow pharmacists to make
medically necessary exceptions on certain types of prescription
refills during an emergency.
- Use the Patient Preparedness Plan if you have
diabetes and use insulin. There you'll find a checklist of supplies
and guidelines to prepare for an emergency.
Another way to prepare for a possible medical emergency is to
learn how to perform hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
and how to use an automated external defibrillator until help
arrives. If performed correctly, CPR can double or triple a
person's chance of survival.
Visit Heart.org for the latest on heart health and the
Disaster Resources page for a wide range of helpful
information.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
A leading
source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden
content, Family Features provides readers with topically and
seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos,
infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at
Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stay-safe-and-healthy-during-and-after-emergencies-302148013.html
SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate