Heat and heart disease almost ruined our July 4th. I’m sitting here in my Austin kitchen, fan blowing straight at me, still smelling like charcoal from last night’s grill. My uncle Ray collapsed right by the cooler. One minute he’s yelling at the Cowboys game on his phone, next minute he’s on the ground. I thought he tripped. Nope. It was the heat messing with his heart.
That BBQ Gone Wrong
It was 108 degrees. Real feel 115. We had burgers, ribs, the whole deal. Ray’s face went from red to purple. He grabbed his chest and said, “Can’t breathe.” I froze. My cousin screamed. Someone called 911. I just stood there holding a spatula like an idiot.
Turns out heat makes your heart work harder. Blood gets thick. Sweat doesn’t cool you fast enough. If you’ve got any heart issues? Boom. Trouble.
That’s me the next day. Still in the same shirt. Sweat stains. Hospital band. Phone was shaking when I took it.
Signs I Missed
- His ankles were swollen for days. I said, “Too much beer.”
- He kept fanning himself inside. I said, “Open a window.”
- He looked dizzy reaching for a soda. I handed him another one.
Dumb. All of it.
What We Do Different Now
- No outside stuff past 10 a.m. I learned that the hard way.
- Water only. No soda. No beer till after 8 p.m.
- Check the old folks. Ray’s on blood pressure meds. Heat makes them worse.
I printed this from the American Heart Association: How Heat Affects Your Heart. It’s taped inside the pantry.
That sticky note? My 8-year-old added a smiley face. Kids, man.
I Still Mess Up
I’ll preach this stuff then forget my own water bottle. Yesterday I mowed the lawn at noon. Came in dizzy. My wife just pointed at the sticky note. Touché.
We keep a cooler by the door now. Ice packs. Gatorade. A fan that plugs into the car. Looks ridiculous. Works.
Bottom Line
Heat and heart disease doesn’t care if you’re tough. It hit my family. It can hit yours.
Talk to your people. Watch the old guys. Stay inside when it’s stupid hot.
What’s your heat scare story? Tell me below. And drink some water. Right now. I mean it.
