The Met Office has issued a rare amber heat warning for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday across parts of Wales and South England. It warns that the general population are likely to experience some symptoms and people that are ‘vulnerable’ to heat have been urged to take extra precautions.
Two widely-used prescription drugs have been flagged as particular causes for concern during the heatwave – beta blockers and metformin. Taken by millions across the UK, both medications can heighten the risk of dehydration in hot conditions, disrupt the body’s ability to regulate temperature, or mask the warning signs of heat-related illness. According to the British Heart Foundation, beta blockers rank amongst the most frequently prescribed treatments for heart and circulatory conditions, commonly used to manage irregular heart rhythms, angina and elevated blood pressure.
By reducing the heart rate, this medication – typically prescribed for cardiac conditions or hypertension – can compromise the body’s natural cooling mechanisms, leaving those who take it far more susceptible to overheating.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has cautioned: “Blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers can also make it harder for your body to regulate temperature, especially during sudden hot spells.”
Research from 2022 also revealed that people taking beta blockers or antiplatelet drugs could face heightened risk of heart attacks during warm weather compared to milder temperatures. Beta blockers in particular showed a 65% stronger link between hot conditions and cardiac events.
Metformin, insulin and other diabetes treatments can elevate your dehydration risk while concealing the initial warning signs. Left unaddressed, dehydration can trigger deteriorating symptoms and in severe instances may result in kidney and urinary complications, seizures or even brain injury.
Important symptoms of dehydration:
Dehydration can be straightforward to remedy by consuming fluids or through oral rehydration solutions available from pharmacists.
Those using beta blockers or metformin shouldn’t discontinue their treatment simply because temperatures are rising. Nevertheless, they should respond promptly if they begin experiencing any indicators of dehydration or heat-related illness symptoms.
Anyone aged over 75 already faces greater vulnerability to temperature-related conditions including heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration. Relatives are urged to monitor their elderly family members throughout periods of hot weather, particularly if they’re taking these medicines.
The MHRA has advised anyone taking medication to consult their patient information leaflet or speak to their pharmacist to check whether sun sensitivity is listed as a potential side effect.
The Met Office has put in place a rare amber warning for extreme heat, running from 1am on Monday 22 June through to 23:59pm on Thursday, June 25. It marks the most severe heat warning the Met Office has issued in four years, with the previous one having been put out in August 2022.
Authorities have warned of a “widespread impact” on both the public and infrastructure, cautioning that some workers may need to alter their schedules during this period. The warning further states: “The wider population are likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
